Welsh footballer accused of fraud

One of Wales' top footballers has been accused by teammates, parents and sponsors of taking thousands of pounds that she has not returned.

Natasha Harding, who now uses her married name Allen-Wyatt, is facing claims she took money for one-to-one coaching with children that she did not deliver.

Some parents and businesses told the BBC that the former Reading FC captain warned them she would take action against them if they complained on social media. Many have now contacted police and Action Fraud.

Ms Allen-Wyatt admitted she had to cancel "some sessions" due to circumstances outside of her control, and apologised to those affected.

Ms Allen-Wyatt, who was seen as a trailblazer for the women's game, retired from football in September 2023 after winning 103 caps for Wales, joining an elite group of just nine Welsh footballers to play more than 100 times for their country.

She was unexpectedly left out of the Wales women's squad in late 2022, which the BBC understands was due to a breakdown in her relationship with her teammates, due to allegations some had lent her money that she had not paid back.

Former teammates have now revealed to the BBC that some of Ms Allen-Wyatt's actions "also impacted ourselves, our families, and friends".

Ms Allen-Wyatt, who also played for Liverpool and Aston Villa and now commentates for another one of her former clubs, Manchester City, launched the Tash Harding Academy in August 2023.

She regularly posted online about its success, claiming she had run 2,000 coaching sessions for children across south, mid and north Wales, Cheltenham and Bristol.

While it is clear the academy does run sessions with some youngsters, BBC Wales has spoken to parents and businesses who say they paid money for services, or for returns on investments, that did not materialise.

BBC Wales has analysed hundreds of WhatsApp messages, banking transactions, invoices and contracts between April 2023 and November 2024 that back up what they have said.

The allegations include:

- A "football mad" brother and sister who used their Christmas money to pay towards sessions that did not take place

- Children as young as seven left feeling rejected and "not good enough" when sessions did not happen

- Volunteers at a grassroots football team were "heartbroken" at telling 40-plus children they would not get the coaching from a former Wales international they had expected

The BBC also understands £3,770 raised by Ms Allen-Wyatt from a charity skydive in 2020, for causes close to the hearts of fellow Wales teammates, was not passed on to two charities. The third said it was unable to check because of how much time had passed

Ms Allen-Wyatt is seen as an influential figure in Welsh women's football and has regularly spoken about her wish to inspire younger players.

Some parents said they felt flattered that she saw potential in their children.

Throw the book at her if true.

If it was a male Welsh international, that’s exactly what they would do.

Throw the book at her if true.

If it was a male Welsh international, that’s exactly what they would do.

Totally agree, she should be in big trouble if these allegations are proven.

Quite sad seeing that kids used their Christmas money to pay for sessions and it was allegedly stolen from them.

She has now deleted both her Instagram and X accounts.

Stinks of guilt.

How someone can do that to a child who clearly held her in high regard.

Shocking to think how many people have been effected by her actions from the OP ...