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Football abuse coach in hospital Barry Bennell in hospital after being found unconscious
(35 minutes later)
Ex-youth football coach Barry Bennell, who is at centre of a sex abuse scandal, has been taken to hospital after an incident attended by police. Ex-youth football coach Barry Bennell, who is at the centre of a sex abuse scandal, has been taken to hospital after being found unconscious.
He was found at an address in Knebworth Park, Stevenage at about 23:00 GMT on Friday, Thames Valley Police said. The convicted sex offender was found at an address in Knebworth Park, Stevenage on Friday, Thames Valley Police said.
The force said: "A 62-year-old man was located and was taken to hospital in order to receive medical treatment, where he remains". The force said the 62-year-old former Crewe coach remains in hospital.
Four police forces are investigating abuse claims made by former players. Four police forces are investigating claims of historical abuse after a number of former players recently spoke out about their experiences.
Bennell, 62, was given a four-year sentence for raping a British boy on a football tour of Florida in 1994 and a nine-year sentence in 1998 for 23 offences against six boys in England. Bennell was given a four-year sentence for raping a British boy on a football tour of Florida in 1994 and a nine-year sentence in 1998 for 23 offences against six boys in England.
Two weeks ago, former Crewe player Andy Woodward spoke out about the abuse he suffered at the hands of Bennell. A number of other former footballers have since come forward to make further allegations of abuse. He was jailed for a third time in 2015 after admitting abusing a boy at a 1980 football camp in Macclesfield.
Crewe Alexandra have begun their own independent review following the allegations. Two weeks ago, former Crewe player Andy Woodward went public about the abuse he said he suffered at the hands of Bennell. A number of other former footballers have since come forward to make further allegations of abuse.
Former youth team players Chris Unsworth and Jason Dunford also told BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme they had been abused by Bennell.
David White, Steve Walters and Paul Stewart have also waived their anonymity to speak publicly about suffering abuse.
Who is Barry Bennell?
Abuse claims: What has happened so far?
Crewe Alexandra have begun their own independent review into the claims.
The Football Association has also confirmed it is investigating claims of sexual abuse in football.The Football Association has also confirmed it is investigating claims of sexual abuse in football.
East of England Ambulance Service said it had received "a report of an unconscious man and a crew attended the scene" at 22:50 GMT on Friday.
In a statement, Thames Valley Police added it had dealt with a "fear for welfare incident".
It said: "At this stage of enquiries, it would be inappropriate to comment further."
The Hampshire, Cheshire, Northumbria and Metropolitan police forces have all opened investigations following the recent allegations.
Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor says more than 20 former footballers have come forward regarding allegations of sexual abuse.
Taylor said at least "six or seven clubs" including Crewe, Manchester City, Blackpool, Leeds, Stoke and Newcastle were connected with "particular individuals".
Blackpool released a statement saying the club was "yet to receive any information from the PFA or relevant authorities in relation to the ongoing investigations of historical abuse".
Leeds also said it had not been made aware of any allegations, but would "take any such complaints seriously and will cooperate fully with the PFA and the FA with any investigations".
Football's world governing body Fifa said in a statement: "We are aware of the allegations. Fifa considers the protection of children and young people as fundamental in football and we will monitor the situation closely."
Meanwhile, Conservative MP Damian Collins, the culture, media and sport committee chairman told the BBC the FA review needed to establish if there was a cultural problem in the sport.