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Football abuse inquiry: 83 potential suspects identified | Football abuse inquiry: 83 potential suspects identified |
(35 minutes later) | |
There are now 83 potential suspects and 98 clubs involved in the inquiry into child abuse in football, police chiefs have said. | There are now 83 potential suspects and 98 clubs involved in the inquiry into child abuse in football, police chiefs have said. |
The investigations span all tiers of football, "from premier clubs through to amateur", the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said. | The investigations span all tiers of football, "from premier clubs through to amateur", the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said. |
Police forces across the country are continuing to receive calls, it added. | Police forces across the country are continuing to receive calls, it added. |
Of the identified victims, 98% were male, and the age at the time of abuse was between seven and 20, police said. | |
A total of 639 referrals had been received from the helpline set up by the children's charity the NSPCC, and directly from police forces. | |
The information is being passed to Operation Hydrant - set up by the NPCC in 2014 to oversee the investigation of allegations of "non-recent" child sex abuse within institutions - which collates it and shares it across forces. | The information is being passed to Operation Hydrant - set up by the NPCC in 2014 to oversee the investigation of allegations of "non-recent" child sex abuse within institutions - which collates it and shares it across forces. |
The NPCC's lead for child protection said the allegations were "being swiftly acted upon" by police. | |
Although 98 football clubs had been "referenced", not all were necessarily under investigation, the police said. | |
And it said the number of victims, previously reported to be 350, continued to apply until all the referrals had been analysed and processed. | And it said the number of victims, previously reported to be 350, continued to apply until all the referrals had been analysed and processed. |
Three weeks ago, ex-Crewe defender Andy Woodward waived his right to anonymity to say he had been a victim of sexual abuse as a young footballer. | Three weeks ago, ex-Crewe defender Andy Woodward waived his right to anonymity to say he had been a victim of sexual abuse as a young footballer. |
Since then, more than 20 former footballers - including ex-youth players, trainees and professionals - have come forward with allegations of historical abuse in football. | Since then, more than 20 former footballers - including ex-youth players, trainees and professionals - have come forward with allegations of historical abuse in football. |
The Football Association has announced an internal review. | |
Children's charity the NSPCC said the "shocking" numbers had revealed the "deeply disturbing extent of abuse" in football. | Children's charity the NSPCC said the "shocking" numbers had revealed the "deeply disturbing extent of abuse" in football. |
It said its football hotline, launched with the support of the FA, had seen a "staggering surge" in calls in its first week. | It said its football hotline, launched with the support of the FA, had seen a "staggering surge" in calls in its first week. |
The hotline set up by the NSPCC is available 24 hours a day on 0800 0232642. | The hotline set up by the NSPCC is available 24 hours a day on 0800 0232642. |