Police investigate abuse allegations

THREE Welsh police forces are investigating allegations of child sexual abuse in football.

South Wales Police became the latest force to start an investigation into historical child sexual abuse at football clubs yesterday.

The force said it had received one allegation of non-recent child sexual abuse related to an amateur football club which is currently under investigation.

Dyfed-Powys Police also said it had received one allegation and an investigation has commenced.

North Wales Police announced last month it was looking into “a number of reports of non-recent sexual abuse”.

At the time of that announcement, Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Williams said: “I can confirm that we are in receipt of a number of reports of non-recent sexual abuse within a football setting.

“We are currently working with the national centre, Operation Hydrant, to ensure our response is coordinated and efficient; the people who have courageously reported what happened to them are central in our considerations in this regard. I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of child sexual abuse, or anyone with any information in this respect, to report it to the police.

“They will be listened to, taken seriously and a thorough investigation will take place.”

Staffordshire, er Manchester, GreatCam- bridgeshire, Hampshire, Cheshire, Northumbria, Scotland Yard and Police Scotland are all also investigating allegations of abuse. Around 350 victims have reported child sexual abuse within UK football clubs, police chiefs have said.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said a “significant number of calls” had been received after several former players alleged past abuse by coaches.

Its figures are also based on details from existing investigations as well as referrals from a new NSPCC helpline.

More than 20 former players have now spoken out about alleged abuse, including former Newcastle United footballer Derek Bell, who waived his anonymity to speak to BBC 5 Live. He said he was sexually assaulted when he played for a local boys’ club in the 1970s.

Last month Culture Secretary Karen Bradley told MPs that the national child abuse inquiry, headed by Professor Alexis Jay, is considering whether to investigate abuse in football as part of its overarching probe.

And ministers are writing to all national sporting bodies to ask them to “redouble their efforts’’ to protect children in the wake of the scandal.

FA chairman Greg Clarke admitted he does not know if the abuse in football was covered up by the authorities.

He described the claims as ‘’the biggest crisis’’ he has seen the game face.

To report abuse you can contact police on 101 or the NSPCC on 0800 023 2642.