Andy Carroll thanks public for support after disclosing sexual assault

Former England striker Andy Carroll has thanked members of the public for supporting him after he spoke about being sexually assaulted at his home in 2021. According to BBC Sport, Carroll discussed the response on the Football Uncensored podcast, describing how messages of support had helped him after years of struggling with the experience.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ppeUqQxItc

The assault took place during Carroll's second spell with Newcastle United. BBC Sport reported that the perpetrator, a friend of his former partner, was convicted of sexual offences and sentenced to 20 months in prison in 2023. Carroll's partner at the time was away when the incident happened. He has since described the assault in his autobiography, Owning It.

Carroll identified the man as television dance coach Kevin Adams in an interview with the Sun, according to the BBC report. Adams appeared on the BBC programme Fame Academy in 2002. The report said Adams had not commented publicly since Carroll named him as the person who attacked him. The conviction and prison sentence preceded Carroll's public identification of Adams.

On the podcast, Carroll said he had spent a long time blaming himself and had been overwhelmed by the reaction after speaking out. He reflected that discussing what happened sooner might have helped him feel better earlier. He also spoke about the support available to him from his current partner, family and friends, alongside the wider public response.

Carroll said the assault happened while he was asleep and described the subsequent experience of giving evidence in court as deeply distressing. He explained that the effects had stayed with him and that he did not expect to get over the assault completely. At the same time, he said speaking publicly allowed others to understand what he had been through and offer support.

The former Liverpool and West Ham forward is now a player and co-owner at National League South club Dagenham. In discussing his experience, Carroll said he was happy with who he was and how he had dealt with it, while acknowledging the continuing impact of what happened.