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Barry Bennell in hospital after being found unconscious Barry Bennell in hospital after being found unconscious
(35 minutes later)
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.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.
The convicted sex offender was found at an address in Knebworth Park, Stevenage 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 the 62-year-old former Crewe coach remains in hospital. The force said it was called to a "fear for welfare" incident and the 62-year-old was still in hospital.
Four police forces are investigating claims of historical abuse after a number of former players recently spoke out about their experiences. Bennell was named last week by several former footballers who alleged they were abused as children.
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. Four police forces are now investigating claims of historical abuse.
He was jailed for a third time in 2015 after admitting abusing a boy at a 1980 football camp in Macclesfield. Former Crewe player Andy Woodward was the first to speak out about the abuse he said he suffered at the hands of Bennell.
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, Steve Walters and Jason Dunford later told BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme they had also been abused by the former Crewe Alexandra coach.
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?Who is Barry Bennell?
Abuse claims: What has happened so far?Abuse claims: What has happened so far?
How safe are children today from abuse in sport?How safe are children today from abuse in sport?
Crewe Alexandra have begun their own independent review into the claims. Bennell, who also worked for Manchester City, Stoke and junior teams in north-west England and the Midlands, 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.
The Football Association has also confirmed it is investigating claims of sexual abuse in football. He was jailed for a third time in 2015 after admitting abusing a boy at a 1980 football camp in Macclesfield.
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. The four ex-footballers appeared together on the show in an emotional interview to tell of their torment.
In a statement, Thames Valley Police added it had dealt with a "fear for welfare incident". Mr Unsworth, had been a youth player at Manchester City with Bennell before moving to Crewe with him when he was about 12 in the mid-1980s. He said he had stayed at Bennell's house several times and had "never told a soul" that he was raped up to 100 times.
It said: "At this stage of enquiries, it would be inappropriate to comment further." David White and Paul Stewart have also waived their anonymity to speak publicly about suffering abuse as youth players.
The Hampshire, Cheshire, Northumbria and Metropolitan police forces have all opened investigations following the recent allegations. Crewe Alexandra have begun their own independent review into the claims, while the Football Association has also confirmed it is investigating claims of sexual abuse in football.
A dedicated NSPCC hotline - 0800 023 2642 - was set up after the abuse claims came to light.
Fifa monitoring situation
The Hampshire, Cheshire, Northumbria and Metropolitan police forces have all opened investigations.
Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor says more than 20 former footballers have come forward regarding allegations of sexual abuse.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".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".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".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."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.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.