Police probe sex abuse ‘cover-up’ in football clubs
‘Large-scale and complex investigation’ could last six months
POLICE have launched a formal inquiry into historic allegations of child sex abuse in Scottish football. Officers said ‘a large-scale, complex inquiry’ began last week which is understood to involve 25 staff and is expected to last six months. Police Scotland will investigate any possible cover-up and talk to dozens of potential witnesses and victims who came forward following the decision last year by a string of high-profile footballers to speak openly about the abuse they had suffered. As part of the inquiry, police will be talking to football clubs – and will demand full co-operation. The move represents a significant step for victims – especially after the Scottish Government refused to include abuse in the footballing world in its ongoing inquiry into sex abuse. A senior police officer said: ‘This is a classic, large, complex inquiry. Every football club in Scotland is going to be on board with us, because they
‘I believe that it’s still going on’
don’t want to be tarred with the big stick that is coming. If there are any coverups, then people will be exposed.’
Recent abuse allegations prompted Police Scotland Chief Constable Philip Gormley to ask people to come forward.
Last month he said the force had received 109 calls, describing the situation as requiring ‘both sensitive policing and strong partnership work’.
Last night, former Scotland star Alan Brazil, 57, urged victims to speak out. Brazil was 13 years old when Celtic Boys’ Club manager Jim Torbett abused him at his flat in Sighthill, Glasgow.
The striker, who won 13 Scottish caps, later said the incident at Torbett’s home had ruined his dream of playing for Celtic. In 1998, he gave evidence in court which led to Torbett being jailed. Brazil said: ‘I believe it’s still going on and I implore people to not give up on this. Whether it’s football, gymnastics or whatever, I appeal to people to come forward.’
The scandal gained pace in November when former Crewe Alexandra player Andy Woodward, now 43, waived his right to anonymity and described his childhood ordeal at the hands of former coach Barry Bennell.
Steve Walters, also of Crewe, ex-Spurs forward Paul Stewart and former England international David White were next to speak out. Also in England, exChelsea player Gary Johnson said he was targeted at 13 by former head scout Eddie Heath during the 1970s.
A helpline was set up by the NSPCC and backed by the Football Association.
Soon afterwards, Jim McCafferty, 71, a former youth coach and kit man for Celtic, Hibernian and Falkirk, was charged with historic allegations of sexual activity with a child by police in Northern Ireland. SFA boss Stewart Regan also issued an apology after former youth coach and assistant referee Hugh Stevenson – who died in 2004 – was accused of abuse.
Allegations of sexual abuse in the 1980s are also believed to involve former Hibs coach Gordon Neely. It has emerged that Neely, who died in 2014 aged 62, was fired by Rangers in 1990 following an accusation of inappropriate behaviour.
Detective Chief Superintendent Lesley Boal, head of public protection at Police Scotland’s specialist crime division, said: ‘Any investigation will follow where the evidence leads.
‘Police Scotland continues to receive information about and reports of non-recent child sexual abuse in football either directly or through referrals from the NSPCC and SFA.
‘We wish to reassure anyone reporting child abuse that we will listen.’