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Football sex abuse: Southampton contact police inquiry Football sex abuse: Southampton contact police inquiry
(35 minutes later)
Southampton Football Club say they have contacted Hampshire Police after receiving information about allegations of historical abuse.Southampton Football Club say they have contacted Hampshire Police after receiving information about allegations of historical abuse.
The club say they are offering "full support" to the force in its probe into allegations in the Hampshire area.The club say they are offering "full support" to the force in its probe into allegations in the Hampshire area.
It comes after West Midlands Police became the 18th force to say it is investigating abuse allegations. On Thursday, several former Southampton players alleged they had suffered years of sexual abuse by a former employee.
Earlier, a former Chelsea footballer claimed the club paid him £50,000 to keep quiet about abuse allegations. West Midlands Police has become the 18th force to say it is investigating historical abuse claims in football.
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. Police chiefs say hundreds of people have reported child sexual abuse in UK football after several former players went public with abuse allegations against coaches.
Police chiefs say hundreds of people have reported child sexual abuse in UK football after several former players made abuse allegations against coaches.
'Other victims''Other victims'
On Thursday, a number of former Southampton players also alleged that they had been subjected to years of grooming and sexual abuse by a former club employee. Former Southampton player Dean Radford and Jamie Webb told the BBC about incidents they said happened when they were in their teens.
In a statement released on Friday Southampton Football Club said they were "committed to working together to investigate any historical allegations that may be brought to light in the Hampshire area". Mr Radford said that along with another young player he was made to "snuggle up" with a club employee on a couch.
Mr Webb, who joined the club when he was 13, described how boys were "groomed" by the club employee who asked them to write him "love" letters.
In a statement released on Friday, Southampton Football Club said they were "committed to working together to investigate any historical allegations that may be brought to light in the Hampshire area".
"The club has informed Hampshire Police that we will offer our full support to any investigation they undertake, for as long as it takes, and with our full focus," it added."The club has informed Hampshire Police that we will offer our full support to any investigation they undertake, for as long as it takes, and with our full focus," it added.
West Midlands Police said it was speaking to complainants about "four historical allegations".West Midlands Police said it was speaking to complainants about "four historical allegations".
Kent Police has also confirmed it has received reports of historical child abuse within the county's football community. A spokesman said the force was reviewing the reports.Kent Police has also confirmed it has received reports of historical child abuse within the county's football community. A spokesman said the force was reviewing the reports.
The sexual abuse charity Safeline said the abuse extended "way beyond" football, into other sports.The sexual abuse charity Safeline said the abuse extended "way beyond" football, into other sports.
On Friday, Mr Johnson became the latest player to make allegations of abuse. In Friday's Daily Mirror, a former Chelsea footballer claimed the club had paid him £50,000 to keep quiet about abuse allegations.
Mr Johnson joined Chelsea as an 11-year-old in 1970 and said he had been groomed from the age of 13 by Heath. 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.
He said once the abuse had begun, Heath would attack him at "every opportunity", adding: "He would get me naked in bed, try more adventurous things."He said once the abuse had begun, Heath would attack him at "every opportunity", adding: "He would get me naked in bed, try more adventurous things."
He said: "During the course of this three to four years, he got me to perform in threesomes with other boys, so I know there are other victims out there - it is now up to them if they come forward." Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn said if there was any evidence of rules being breached - "and hushing up would be one" - it would apply its rules "regardless of size of club".
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.
Mr Johnson said he had kept the abuse a secret for decades, until the Jimmy Savile scandal had encouraged him to speak out.
He told the Mirror that in 2014 he was advised by police - who have not commented on the claims - to "go back to Chelsea".
The BBC understands that the confidentiality clause was lifted on Wednesday.
Mirror editor Lloyd Embley told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Chelsea had been right to lift the confidentiality clause, but there were still questions as to why the money had been paid.
Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn said if there was any evidence of rules being breached "and hushing up would be one" it would apply its rules "regardless of size of club".
In a statement, Chelsea said: "Chelsea Football Club has retained an external law firm to carry out an investigation concerning an individual employed by the club in the 1970s, who is now deceased.In a statement, Chelsea said: "Chelsea Football Club has retained an external law firm to carry out an investigation concerning an individual employed by the club in the 1970s, who is now deceased.
"The club has also contacted the FA to ensure that all possible assistance is provided as part of their wider investigation.""The club has also contacted the FA to ensure that all possible assistance is provided as part of their wider investigation."
On Thursday, the NSPCC children's charity said more than 860 people had called its dedicated football hotline, set up a week ago. The NSPCC children's charity has said more than 860 people have 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.
A former Newcastle United player, David Eatock, also came forward to say he had been abused by coach George Ormond.A former Newcastle United player, David Eatock, also came forward to say he had been abused by coach George Ormond.
On Friday, Sir John Hall, chairman of Newcastle United at that time, said he had not been made aware of any allegations or rumours of abuse when in charge.On Friday, Sir John Hall, chairman of Newcastle United at that time, said he had not been made aware of any allegations or rumours of abuse when in charge.
Police forces investigating allegations:Police forces investigating allegations:
Kent Police has said it received reports of historical child abuse within the county's football community and is now reviewing them.Kent Police has said it received reports of historical child abuse within the county's football community and is now reviewing them.