Manager of women’s football club banned for 12 years after bombarding players with indecent images

‘Women’s football is prospering, and for it to continue to flourish, a clear message needs to be sent,’ says the independent commission’s written ruling. Photograph: Arnaldo Moreno/Getty Images

The former manager of a fourth-tier women’s team has been banned by the Football Association from all involvement in the sport for 12 years after he sent indecent images of himself to players and a member of staff as well as subjecting them to sexually inappropriate behaviour.

Ryan Hamilton, who left his role as Sutton Coldfield Town Women’s manager in November 2024, was found to have sent photographs of his penis to a player and a staff member via social media, as well as to have sent naked or partially naked photographs of himself to two of the other players, and to have sent a player a video of himself masturbating.