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Fresh football abuse claims investigated Fresh football abuse claims investigated
(35 minutes later)
West Midlands Police has said it is investigating four historical allegations of child abuse in football. West Midlands Police has become the 18th police force to say it is investigating allegations of child abuse in football.
The force said it was in the process of speaking to complainants and providing support through its specialist team of officers. It said it was speaking to complainants about "four historical allegations".
It said it took all reports of sexual abuse "extremely seriously" and urged anyone who may be a victim or witness to abuse to call on 101. Police chiefs say hundreds of people have reported child sexual abuse in UK football after several former players made abuse allegations against coaches.
The force is the 18th to look into allegations of child abuse in football. Earlier, a former Chelsea footballer claimed the club paid him £50,000 to keep quiet about abuse allegations.
On Thursday police chiefs said hundreds of people had reported child sexual abuse within UK football clubs after several former players made allegations of abuse against football coaches. Gary Johnson, who was a member of Chelsea's first team from 1978 to 1981, told the Mirror he had been abused as a youth player in the 1970s by Eddie Heath, who is now dead.
The NSPCC said more than 860 people had called its dedicated football hotline, set up a week ago. According to the Mirror, in 2015 Mr Johnson, 57, signed a confidentiality agreement and accepted £50,000 from the club, but they did not accept blame.
Chelsea said they had appointed a law firm to investigate a former employee.
On Thursday the NSPCC said more than 860 people had called its dedicated football hotline, set up a week ago.
Within the first three days of it launching, the charity made more than 60 referrals to a range of agencies across the UK.Within the first three days of it launching, the charity made more than 60 referrals to a range of agencies across the UK.
Announcing its investigation, West Midlands Police said it took all reports of sexual abuse "extremely seriously" and urged anyone who may be a victim or witness to abuse to call on 101.