The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
DARRAGH’S HORROR AT FOOTBALL ABUSE CLAIMS
Posh chairman’s shock as police launch inquiry into allegations of historic sex abuse at Peterborough United
Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony has said he is ‘horrified’ to learn police are investigating historic allegations of abuse at the club. Mr Mac Anthony said he hoped anyone guilty of offences would be brought to justice after police confirmed they had received a number of allegations of historical abuse.
He said: “Peterborough United will help the police, the FA, PFA and all other governing bodies of football in their investigations into historical child sex abuse claims.
“If anyone is found guilty of any offences, we hope they will be severely dealt with by those authorities in a quick and timely manner.
“We encourage anybody with any information relating to this matter to come forward so we can help the authorities as best we can going forward, and trust me when I say, as a father of three young children, I am personally horrified by what is now coming to forefront in the press recently
“I will ensure our football club leads by example throughout this process with full transparency and honesty top to bottom.”
The revelation comes after a number of former players have spoken about abuse suffered across the country.
A help line was set up by the NSPCC, and Cambridgeshire police said the allegations relating to Peterborough United came through the helpline over the weekend.
The police were unable to say any more about the allegations, and did not say when any offences weresaid to have takenplace, orhowmanypeople had made allegations.
Cambridgeshire police are also investigating after similar allegations weremadeagainst Cambridge United.
Chief executive of the Cambridgeshire FA, Chris Pringle, said he was confident clubs had networks in place to prevent abuse happening now.
An NSPCC spokesman said: “There must be no hiding place for sexual abuse in our national game and there may be many others who suffered through such horrors as young players but have never come forward. As last week’s revelations have laid bare, people must be able to speak out and get the help they need, and we know that can often be more difficult for men and boys.”
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