What went on was disgusting says Le Tissier

bum competitions...you look back at it now and think ‘hang on, what was going on’?

“Obviously boys talk at that age, they take the Mickey, it kind of gets covered up as a bit of banter at that stage. But as you grow into an adult, you look at it and think ‘that’s not right’.”

Southampton are one of 55 clubs understood to be looking into historical allegations of child abuse, after several former players came forward with claims. Higgins worked for Saints’ youth set-up in the Eighties and left in 1989.

Le Tissier later tweeted: “For the record, I’ve never felt like I’ve been abused. Still don’t. Please don’t feel sorry for me, I’m all good. Just stated what happened.”

QPR, the latest club to have been brought into the scandal, say they will cooperate in any investigation into allegations of historical sexual abuse against former employee Chris Gieler, who died in 2004. Gieler was employed by the club for 30 years, working in youth development and as chief scout.

QPR said in a statement: “The club take these allegations very seriously and will cooperate fully in any forthcoming investigation. Any form of abuse has no place in football or society.

“We have robust recruiting procedures and safeguarding policies in place to ensure the protection and welfare of both children and vulnerable adults. We employ a full-time designated safeguarding manager who works across all areas of the club with specific responsibility to the academy and Community Trust.”

The FA announced yesterday their review into child sexual abuse in football will now be led by Clive Sheldon QC instead of Kate Gallafent QC “in the light of its increased scope”.

Damian Collins, chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport committee, backed the decision to widen the inquiry – but said the final report must be made public. “I have more confidence now we have a degree of separation between the FA and the QC leading the review,” said Collins. “I’m also pleased to see Sheldon appears to have the power to go into clubs.

“But does he have the power to go wherever the FA have jurisdiction? He should be able to amend the scope of his inquiries if he needs to.

“And the only grounds for not publishing his report in full should be that it might prejudice a criminal investigation.”