I was sexually assaulted in 2021, says Ex-England striker Andy Carroll

Former England international footballer Andy Carroll has disclosed in his autobiography that he was sexually assaulted at his home in 2021. The 37-year-old, who played for Newcastle United during his second spell with the club, waived his right to anonymity and shared the details with BBC Sport. Carroll claims the attack occurred while he was asleep, and the perpetrator entered his home uninvited after a friend of his then-partner had visited to watch a boxing match.

Carroll threw the intruder out of the house and called the police after he knocked the man unconscious. The perpetrator was later convicted of sexual offences and sentenced to three years in prison, with Carroll testifying in court about the traumatic experience. Carroll revealed that he only included the incident in his book at the very last minute after discussing it with his girlfriend Lou Teasdale.

He wrote that talking about it has made him the person he is today, and if sharing his story helps just one person, it will have been worth it. Carroll, now a player and co-owner at Dagenham & Redbridge, said the assault has affected every aspect of his life, making it difficult for him to focus on anything else, including football.

The trauma from the incident still persists. Carroll had nine caps for England and also played in the Premier League for Liverpool and West Ham United.