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Harry Redknapp criticises FA over coach claims Harry Redknapp criticises FA over coach claims
(about 2 hours later)
Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp has said the Football Association could have done more to monitor an ex-Southampton coach accused of historical sexual abuse.Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp has said the Football Association could have done more to monitor an ex-Southampton coach accused of historical sexual abuse.
He told the BBC "rumours" that Bob Higgins may have abused young players in the 1980s had been "rife" for years.He told the BBC "rumours" that Bob Higgins may have abused young players in the 1980s had been "rife" for years.
Mr Redknapp said he was "amazed" to hear he had stayed working in football. The FA has appointed Clive Sheldon QC to lead its review into abuse.
Mr Higgins has denied all allegations and was acquitted of sexual abuse charges in 1992.Mr Higgins has denied all allegations and was acquitted of sexual abuse charges in 1992.
Continued workingContinued working
The BBC understands Mr Higgins left Southampton after concerns were raised about his behaviour, and a TV documentary then broadcast the testimony of eight alleged victims.The BBC understands Mr Higgins left Southampton after concerns were raised about his behaviour, and a TV documentary then broadcast the testimony of eight alleged victims.
Mr Redknapp told the BBC: "Until you can actually prove something, or there is a bit of evidence, it's very difficult; but I certainly think the FA could have certainly done a bit more to monitor him and make sure he wasn't allowed back in football."Mr Redknapp told the BBC: "Until you can actually prove something, or there is a bit of evidence, it's very difficult; but I certainly think the FA could have certainly done a bit more to monitor him and make sure he wasn't allowed back in football."
He said Mr Higgins had been known as a leading youth development coach while working at Southampton and had signed top players.He said Mr Higgins had been known as a leading youth development coach while working at Southampton and had signed top players.
Mr Redknapp, who was manager of Southampton from 2004 to 2005, said that while he had not been involved at Southampton at the time, there "must have been people there that had heard the rumours" that Mr Higgins had sexually abused children.Mr Redknapp, who was manager of Southampton from 2004 to 2005, said that while he had not been involved at Southampton at the time, there "must have been people there that had heard the rumours" that Mr Higgins had sexually abused children.
He told the BBC he would have thought the allegations aired in a TV documentary would have ended Mr Higgins's career, but has since heard he continued working in the industry.He told the BBC he would have thought the allegations aired in a TV documentary would have ended Mr Higgins's career, but has since heard he continued working in the industry.
"I'm just amazed that he's still been involved in football since that day - I thought that would have been the finish of him," he said."I'm just amazed that he's still been involved in football since that day - I thought that would have been the finish of him," he said.
Mr Redknapp, who also managed Portsmouth and Bournemouth on the south coast, said: "Southampton's a great football club, and it's run by fantastic people there now.Mr Redknapp, who also managed Portsmouth and Bournemouth on the south coast, said: "Southampton's a great football club, and it's run by fantastic people there now.
"They had a great manager, Lawrie McMenemy. If Lawrie had suspected anything I'm sure Lawrie would have well and truly booted him out."They had a great manager, Lawrie McMenemy. If Lawrie had suspected anything I'm sure Lawrie would have well and truly booted him out.
"But until you can actually prove something or there's a bit of evidence, it's very difficult.""But until you can actually prove something or there's a bit of evidence, it's very difficult."
League letterLeague letter
After Southampton, Mr Higgins was hired by Winchester City FC but was only there a few months.After Southampton, Mr Higgins was hired by Winchester City FC but was only there a few months.
At a meeting with Hampshire County Council and the local FA, Winchester representatives were shown the TV documentary that had aired a few years earlier and it was made clear it was inappropriate for Mr Higgins to stay at the club.At a meeting with Hampshire County Council and the local FA, Winchester representatives were shown the TV documentary that had aired a few years earlier and it was made clear it was inappropriate for Mr Higgins to stay at the club.
Ray Barnes, Hampshire FA chief for 25 years who was at the meeting, would later be convicted of indecently assaulting three boys in an unrelated incident.Ray Barnes, Hampshire FA chief for 25 years who was at the meeting, would later be convicted of indecently assaulting three boys in an unrelated incident.
After this Mr Higgins went on to work for two other clubs, most recently Fleet Town until three weeks ago, the BBC understands.After this Mr Higgins went on to work for two other clubs, most recently Fleet Town until three weeks ago, the BBC understands.
The Football League warned its clubs about Mr Higgins as far back as 1989.The Football League warned its clubs about Mr Higgins as far back as 1989.
A letter advised them not to work with his youth football academy but did not provide any reasons.A letter advised them not to work with his youth football academy but did not provide any reasons.
The letter said the Football League, Football Association and English Schools Football Association were "opposed to the activities of this organisation".The letter said the Football League, Football Association and English Schools Football Association were "opposed to the activities of this organisation".
'Risk to children''Risk to children'
In 1997, police and social services sent a joint letter to schools and youth groups warning them that "Mr Higgins poses a risk to children".In 1997, police and social services sent a joint letter to schools and youth groups warning them that "Mr Higgins poses a risk to children".
He was not police checked for the later football coaching job at Fleet Town FC in 2012 as his role did not involve him working with children.He was not police checked for the later football coaching job at Fleet Town FC in 2012 as his role did not involve him working with children.
Mr Redknapp said if he had received such a letter, he would not have had him "anywhere near a football club I managed".Mr Redknapp said if he had received such a letter, he would not have had him "anywhere near a football club I managed".
Six former Southampton youth players have come forward with allegations about Mr Higgins. Hampshire police has confirmed it is investigating.Six former Southampton youth players have come forward with allegations about Mr Higgins. Hampshire police has confirmed it is investigating.
Mr Redknapp has urged other players to come forward with what they know.Mr Redknapp has urged other players to come forward with what they know.
The FA has yet to respond to the comments but has launched an internal review into historical abuse allegations.The FA has yet to respond to the comments but has launched an internal review into historical abuse allegations.
In a statement, it said: "The FA has today published the full terms of reference for the review into issues arising from the recent press reports relating to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse in football.
"For clarification, the FA had originally intended that Kate Gallafent QC would lead the review but in the light of the increased scope of the review since it was announced, and with respect to her other professional commitments, the decision was taken to appoint Clive Sheldon QC."
Southampton FC has said it is working with police and investigating how it has handled these issues in the past.Southampton FC has said it is working with police and investigating how it has handled these issues in the past.
The BBC has made several attempts to speak to Mr Higgins without success.The BBC has made several attempts to speak to Mr Higgins without success.