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Football sex abuse: Southampton contact police inquiry Football sex abuse: England captains make child safety film
(about 2 hours later)
Southampton Football Club say they have contacted Hampshire Police after receiving information about allegations of historical abuse. Captains of three England football teams have taken part in a film about how to keep children safe in the sport.
The club say they are offering "full support" to the force in its probe into allegations in the Hampshire area. The video for the NSPCC and the FA explains how parents and children can raise concerns they may have about adults working in football.
The men's, women's and cerebral palsy team captains - Wayne Rooney, Steph Houghton and Jack Rutter - all feature.
Earlier, West Midlands Police said it was investigating historical football abuse claims - the 18th force to do so.
The video, which also includes England's under-21 vice-captain Nathaniel Chalobah, features the players speaking to the camera, outlining the four "key steps" the FA says its 8,500 safeguarding officers will carry out to keep children safe in football.
These include ensuring adults in football have been checked to ensure they are eligible to work with youngsters and that they have received suitable safeguarding training.
The other measures are making sure concerns from both children and adults are listened to and that concerns about a child's welfare are reported.
Rooney said: "It's important that everyone knows how to raise any concerns about a child's welfare."
Earlier, Southampton Football Club said it had contacted Hampshire Police after receiving information about allegations of historical abuse.
The club said it was offering its "full support" to the force in its probe into allegations in the Hampshire area.
On Thursday, several former Southampton players alleged they had suffered years of sexual abuse by a former employee.On Thursday, several former Southampton players alleged they had suffered years of sexual abuse by a former employee.
Earlier, West Midlands Police became the 18th force to say it was inquiring into historical football abuse claims.
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.
'Other victims'
Former Southampton player Dean Radford and Jamie Webb told the BBC about incidents they said happened when they were in their teens.
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.
Meanwhile, ex-Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy has told the BBC he would have taken immediate action if he had known of any abuse allegations during his time in charge between 1973 and 1985.Meanwhile, ex-Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy has told the BBC he would have taken immediate action if he had known of any abuse allegations during his time in charge between 1973 and 1985.
He said: "Certainly if I'd known that was happening in my time - and I don't think it did happen in my time - I would have got it killed straightaway. He said: "Certainly if I'd known that was happening in my time - and I don't think it did happen in my time - I would have got it killed straightaway."
"If I thought for one minute that sort of thing was happening, I'd have acted ... certainly I'd have gone straight to the police." On Friday a former Chelsea footballer became the latest football player to make allegations of abuse.
He said he was "staggered" by the abuse claims made against a former employee of the club, adding: "I'm so sad and disappointed - we all feel for the players... I don't think this sort of thing could happen now." In the Daily Mirror Gary Johnson, who was a member of Chelsea's first team from 1978 to 1981, claimed the club had paid him £50,000 to keep quiet about abuse allegations.
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". He told the paper he had been abused as a youth player in the 1970s by Eddie Heath, who is now dead.
"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".
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.
In Friday's Daily Mirror, a former Chelsea footballer claimed the club had paid him £50,000 to keep quiet about abuse allegations.
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."
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".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."
The NSPCC children's charity has said more than 860 people have called its dedicated football hotline, set up a week ago. West Midlands Police became the latest force to say it was investigating claims of abuse within the game, saying it was speaking to complainants about "four historical allegations".
Within the first three days of it launching, the charity made more than 60 referrals to a range of agencies across the UK. Kent Police also confirmed it had received reports of historical child abuse within the county's football community, which it said it was reviewing.
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.
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.