Child sex scandal may affect 98 clubs: police

British police investigating allegations of widespread child sex abuse at soccer clubs dating back to the 1970s said Friday they had identified 83 potential suspects and possible links to 98 clubs, including some clubs from the Premier League.

Police forces across the country launched inquiries after former player Andy Woodward revealed he had been abused as a boy by a youth team coach, prompting other ex-professionals to come forward with more allegations.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said 639 referrals had been made to officers from a helpline set up by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children charity, involving about 350 potential victims.

“Allegations received by police forces across the country are being swiftly acted upon,” said Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the NPCC lead for child protection.

“We are also liaising closely with the Football Association to ensure all relevant information they hold is shared to inform investigations moving forward.”

The harrowing tales of abuse suffered by the former players, some of whom have broken down in tears in television interviews, have shocked Britain.

They raise questions about the scale of the problem, how much clubs and soccer authorities knew, and whether they tried to cover it up.

English soccer’s governing body, the Football Association, has launched an internal review into what it admitted could be one of the sport’s biggest crises, and promised to fully publicize its findings.

The NPCC said not all the 98 clubs whose names were mentioned to the police were under investigation.