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| Greater Manchester police investigates claims of sex abuse in youth football | |
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| Greater Manchester police has become the latest force to launch an investigation into the sexual abuse of young footballers after it was contacted by a number of people who said they had suffered assaults. | Greater Manchester police has become the latest force to launch an investigation into the sexual abuse of young footballers after it was contacted by a number of people who said they had suffered assaults. |
| It is the fifth police force to announce inquiries into historical abuse in football’s youth system in the wake of revelations to the Guardian by the former professional Andy Woodward about his treatment by the youth coach and convicted paedophile Barry Bennell. | It is the fifth police force to announce inquiries into historical abuse in football’s youth system in the wake of revelations to the Guardian by the former professional Andy Woodward about his treatment by the youth coach and convicted paedophile Barry Bennell. |
| Greater Manchester police (GMP) called for anyone who had suffered abuse to come forward and promised that any allegations would be treated sensitively and seriously. | Greater Manchester police (GMP) called for anyone who had suffered abuse to come forward and promised that any allegations would be treated sensitively and seriously. |
| Meanwhile, Bennell, who was most closely associated with Crewe Alexandra but also had strong links with Manchester City, has spent the past three days in hospital after being found unconscious at a park 40 miles from his home. | Meanwhile, Bennell, who was most closely associated with Crewe Alexandra but also had strong links with Manchester City, has spent the past three days in hospital after being found unconscious at a park 40 miles from his home. |
| Thames Valley police revealed on Monday that officers were called to a “fear for welfare” incident – which means there is concern for a person’s physical or mental health – on Friday night. | Thames Valley police revealed on Monday that officers were called to a “fear for welfare” incident – which means there is concern for a person’s physical or mental health – on Friday night. |
| Bennell, 62, was treated by paramedics at Knebworth Park, the stately home and gardens famed as a rock venue in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. | Bennell, 62, was treated by paramedics at Knebworth Park, the stately home and gardens famed as a rock venue in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. |
| It is believed he was staying at a hotel after fleeing his home in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire as the scandal broke. | It is believed he was staying at a hotel after fleeing his home in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire as the scandal broke. |
| Bennell, a youth coach who also worked with Stoke and several junior teams in north-west England and the Midlands, has served three prison sentences totalling 15 years in England and the United States. He is currently out on licence. | Bennell, a youth coach who also worked with Stoke and several junior teams in north-west England and the Midlands, has served three prison sentences totalling 15 years in England and the United States. He is currently out on licence. |
| Woodward, a former Crewe player, waived his anonymity this month to tell the Guardian about the abuse he was subject to by Bennell, which has led to a number of other former footballers coming forward to make further allegations, including the former Manchester City forward David White. | Woodward, a former Crewe player, waived his anonymity this month to tell the Guardian about the abuse he was subject to by Bennell, which has led to a number of other former footballers coming forward to make further allegations, including the former Manchester City forward David White. |
| In a statement released on Monday, GMP assistant chief constable Debbie Ford said: “Following recent media coverage, Greater Manchester police has received a number of calls from people reporting historic sexual abuse whilst they were in the youth football system. | In a statement released on Monday, GMP assistant chief constable Debbie Ford said: “Following recent media coverage, Greater Manchester police has received a number of calls from people reporting historic sexual abuse whilst they were in the youth football system. |
| “We have now launched an investigation and our specially trained officers are supporting those who have come forward so far. | “We have now launched an investigation and our specially trained officers are supporting those who have come forward so far. |
| “We are co-ordinating our investigation with forces nationally and with Operation Hydrant, the national co-ordination hub for historic child abuse investigations concerning persons of public prominence. | “We are co-ordinating our investigation with forces nationally and with Operation Hydrant, the national co-ordination hub for historic child abuse investigations concerning persons of public prominence. |
| “I would encourage anyone who was a victim of sexual or physical abuse to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible. | “I would encourage anyone who was a victim of sexual or physical abuse to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible. |
| “I completely understand that for many people, making disclosures about such traumatic events can be difficult, but we will offer advice and support throughout.” | “I completely understand that for many people, making disclosures about such traumatic events can be difficult, but we will offer advice and support throughout.” |
| Bennell spent many years coaching and scouting boys for several junior teams affiliated to Manchester City. | Bennell spent many years coaching and scouting boys for several junior teams affiliated to Manchester City. |
| The Metropolitan police, Hampshire police and Cheshire police have said they are investigating allegations of abuse in the football community. Northumbria police said it was investigating an allegation by an unnamed former Newcastle player that he was abused in the club’s youth system. | The Metropolitan police, Hampshire police and Cheshire police have said they are investigating allegations of abuse in the football community. Northumbria police said it was investigating an allegation by an unnamed former Newcastle player that he was abused in the club’s youth system. |
| Six professional clubs have been named by the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor, as being connected with “particular individuals”. | Six professional clubs have been named by the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor, as being connected with “particular individuals”. |
| Bennell was found unconscious on Friday night. | Bennell was found unconscious on Friday night. |
| In a statement a Thames Valley police spokesperson said: “Police officers attended an address in Knebworth Park, Stevenage, just before 11pm on Friday November 25 in connection with a fear for welfare incident. | In a statement a Thames Valley police spokesperson said: “Police officers attended an address in Knebworth Park, Stevenage, just before 11pm on Friday November 25 in connection with a fear for welfare incident. |
| “A 62-year-old man was located and was taken to hospital in order to receive medical treatment, where he remains. At this stage of enquiries, it would be inappropriate to comment further.” | “A 62-year-old man was located and was taken to hospital in order to receive medical treatment, where he remains. At this stage of enquiries, it would be inappropriate to comment further.” |
| The force refused to give an update on the man’s condition or release more details about the circumstances of how he came to be found. It is not believed anyone else was involved. | The force refused to give an update on the man’s condition or release more details about the circumstances of how he came to be found. It is not believed anyone else was involved. |
| More than 20 former players have come forward with allegations of historical child abuse, prompting the Football Association to set up a review. On Sunday the FA instructed the independent leading counsel Kate Gallafent QC to oversee its internal review, assessing “what information the FA was aware of at the relevant times, what clubs were aware of, and what action was or should have been taken”. Her recommendations will be considered but the FA accepts a full, wide-ranging inquiry may yet be necessary. | More than 20 former players have come forward with allegations of historical child abuse, prompting the Football Association to set up a review. On Sunday the FA instructed the independent leading counsel Kate Gallafent QC to oversee its internal review, assessing “what information the FA was aware of at the relevant times, what clubs were aware of, and what action was or should have been taken”. Her recommendations will be considered but the FA accepts a full, wide-ranging inquiry may yet be necessary. |
| Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said: “The players that have broken their silence to speak out about the abuse they suffered have shown immense courage. No one must ever feel they can’t or shouldn’t be able to do the same. It’s now important to understand what happened and why, and let all those affected know that they don’t need to be alone.” | Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said: “The players that have broken their silence to speak out about the abuse they suffered have shown immense courage. No one must ever feel they can’t or shouldn’t be able to do the same. It’s now important to understand what happened and why, and let all those affected know that they don’t need to be alone.” |