The Professional Footballers Association of England and Leeds has revealed that more than 20 former youth players have come forward claiming child sexual abuse.
Leeds United and Blackpool are the latest clubs to join Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Stoke City—all clubs that have had such allegations levied against them.
England’s Football Association has launched an internal investigation, appointing Kate Gallafent of the Queens Council to lead it. The FA acknowledged that a more “wide-ranging” inquiry will eventually be launched.
The crisis came to the surface after former professional player Andy Woodward came forward to share his story last week. Several players followed with their own stories.
More than 20 have come forward thus far, but more are expected to do so in the coming days. Several UK media outlets have also tied instances of suicide to the abuse that youth players suffered.
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On Sunday, Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, told The Mail:
Given the speed at which players are coming forward to tell us about abuse, I would expect that there would be a considerable number of cases eventually.
Several law enforcement agencies--including the Metropolitan police, Hampshire police and Cheshire police—have said that they’re launching their own investigations of abuse in the football community.
So far, Newcastle, Stoke, Crewe Alexandra and Manchester City have come forward with statements. Newcastle said it will cooperate with investigators “if or when the club receives further information.”
Crewe Alexandra said it will launch an internal investigation.
Stoke reps said the club had not been approached yet, but were willing to launch an internal investigation.
Manchester City issued the following statement:
The club is aware of allegations that Barry Bennell had an association with Manchester City football club in the 1980s. As a result the club is currently undertaking a thorough investigation of any past links he might have had with the organisation.
Bennell, a three-time convicted pedophile, is at the center of many of the allegations. The BBC reported that he was found unconscious at his home on Monday and taken to a hospital.
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