English football sex abuse scandal grows with 55 clubs now involved

More than 55 English football clubs have been named in allegations passed to police investigation child sex abuse, just days after it was revealed that about 350 victims had come forward.

Quoting child protection sources within the investigative body coordinating historical sex abuse claims, the Observer reported that 55 professional and non-leage clubs were cited by players claiming they were abused. In addition, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children  said that it had received calls to its hotline that suggested that some children might be in danger and that abuse was ongoing.

“We have had a few bits of information, allegations where children might be at risk now,” said John Cameron, the charity’s head of helplines.

The shocking report emerged followed claims on Saturday that a former employee of Southampton football club accused of sexually abusing young players in the 1980s is still working in the sport. Former footballers also alleged that they were subjected to years of grooming and sexual abuse from the former employee of the football club.

A number of other players have also come forward saying they suffered abuse at the club. Southampton FC said it would co-operate fully with any police investigation.

The development came as the Engliand men's and women’s captains, Wayne Rooney and Steph Houghton, joined Alan Shearer and other leading football figures in urging players to come forward with allegations.

In a video on “safeguarding” published for the Football Association and NSPCC children’s charity, published on the FA’s Twitter account, Rooney said: “It’s important that everyone knows how to raise any concerns about the child’s welfare.

“If you’re a young boy or girl and you’re upset, hurt or scared with the way someone behaves with you, please let someone you trust know now.”

West Midlands police said it was “investigating four historical allegations of child sexual abuse in football” and Kent police said it had received reports of abuse within the county’s football community.

So far 10 suspects have been identified, and Greater Manchester police said it was investigating reports from 35 people, with its inquiry growing on a “daily basis”.

Chelsea, currently top of the Premier League, were forced to issue a statement following claims that the club insisted on a confidentiality clause in a settlement with an ex-player who said he had been sexually abused by a former chief scout at the club.

Former Chelsea player, Garry Johnson, revealed last year that he had signed a confidentiality clause in a settlement with the club, over abuse he had experienced in the 1970s. The club admitted that the clause was "inappropriate".

The NSPCC said on Saturday it expected the number of calls to its hotline, launched on 23 November, to pass 1,000. The charity’s head of helplines said he was “astonished” by the volume of men who had come forward after a story in the Guardian where a number of professional footballers waived their right to anonimity and spoke about abuse they experienced by former football coaches in the 70s and 80s.

Up to 350 potential victims had come forward by Thursday and a quarter of all police forces confirmed that they are investigating some form of reports related to abuse in football, said the police.

So far several clubs including Newcastle, Manchester City and Crewe have launched inquiries into how they handled allegations of abuse, or coaches who turned out to be offenders.