Over 80 sex abuse suspects, nearly 100 clubs affected: police

Police have identified 83 potential suspects in the sex abuse scandal that has rocked English football and believe 98 clubs from all levels have been 'impacted', the National Police Chiefs Council revealed.

The scandal – in which two men have been charged with sex abuse although several of the coaches against whom allegations have been made are out of reach as they are dead – has seen over a third of all British police forces launch investigations.

The NPCC added that 98% of the victims – which is believed for the moment to total 350 – are male with their ages at the time of the alleged abuse ranging from seven to 20. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) said the figures reflected the seriousness of the scandal.

"These shocking numbers now identified by police reveal the deeply disturbing extent of abuse that has been going on within football," said an NSPCC spokesman.

"Our football hotline, launched with the support of the FA, saw a staggering surge in calls in its first week and anyone who wants to contact us can continue to do so in confidence, with the knowledge they will be listened to and supported."

Meanhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for "zero tolerance" of child abuse in football and promised to look into ways the global governing body can do more to prevent it in the wake of the scandal sweeping the game in England.

The English Football Association (FA) have launched a review into allegations of children being sexually abused at professional clubs, while British police are also investigating mounting accusations of paedophile activity.

"It has to be taken seriously. There must be zero tolerance from that point of view, from a football perspective, but also from a criminal perspective as well," Infantino told reporters in Singapore on Thursday.

"Those who have been guilty of abusing on children need to punished very seriously. They have to be out of football, that is without question, but also on the criminal side they need to be punished.

"There are not many worse things in life, not in football life but in life generally, than child abuse."

Infantino said that although child abuse was a scourge not limited to football, FIFA would not take the scandal lightly.

"The Football Association is already, of course, looking into that matter and this is something that to be taken very seriously," Infantino added.

"In football as well, we probably have to look into that with more care and more attention in order to prevent any potential child abuse in the future."

Former youth coach Barry Bennell has been convicted of sexual offences, dating back more than 20 years.