Andy Carroll has revealed that other high-profile footballers have told him they have been sexually abused. The former Liverpool striker disclosed he was sexually assaulted by a friend of his ex-wife in 2021 during his second spell at Newcastle.
Revelation in Autobiography
Carroll made the revelation in his recently published autobiography, Owning It. He chose not to name his attacker, though it was later identified as celebrity dance coach Kevin Adams, who received a 20-month prison sentence following his conviction in 2023.
The striker, who currently plays for and is a co-owner of non-league side Dagenham & Redbridge, had been uncertain about whether to write about the assault in his memoir, but is glad he did, as it has encouraged other footballers to come forward and thank him for speaking out.
Support and Similar Stories
Carroll told Piers Morgan's Football Uncensored show: "The social media comments I've been receiving, it's given me a bit of support to say, 'Yeah go on then, get it out there' and people will be aware of this.
"Because no one talks about it. Well-known footballers and I've had a phone call off them, saying thanks. And for me, putting it in the book, it was the right thing. I must've had hundreds and hundreds of messages.
"There's actually people that I know really well and have come to me and went, 'A similar thing happened to me.' People in football as well."
Attacker's Daughter Speaks Out
One of Adams' two daughters, Avia, 21, has spoken publicly about her father, describing him as a "monster" and a "sick individual." She has also apologised to Carroll and intends to change her surname.
Carroll revealed the incident occurred while he was asleep. Adams had invited himself round and then declined to leave when Carroll offered to call him a taxi.
Court Ordeal
Following the assault, Carroll tried to throw Adams out of the house and then punched him. The 37-year-old said giving evidence in court was "humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous." He said: "It was eating me alive inside for so long.
"There's certain things you can't get over, and I'll never, ever get over that. But now I know that people can see who I was then, in that time, and what I've been through and they help me and support me."
