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{{short description|Football sexual abuse scandal in the United Kingdom}}
A [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom|child sexual abuse]] scandal involving the [[Child abuse in association football|abuse of young players at football clubs]] in the [[United Kingdom]] began in mid-November 2016. The revelations began when former professional [[association football|football]]ers waived their rights to [[anonymity]] and talked publicly about being abused by former [[coach (sport)#association football)|coaches]] and [[Scout (association football)|scouts]] in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. This led to a surge of further allegations, as well as allegations that some clubs had covered them up.
Echoing similar revelations in the 1990s, the initial 2016 allegations centred on abuse of young players at [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] due to the clubs' associations with Barry Bennell (previously convicted of sexual abuse offences in the US, in 1995, and in the UK, in 1998) who, on 29 November 2016, was charged with new offences. Allegations were also made against George Ormond, a former [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] youth coach and scout (who also had previous convictions), former [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] scout Eddie Heath, and former [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] and [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough]] coach Bob Higgins. In early December 2016, allegations about former youth coaches and scouts in Northern Ireland and Scotland also started to emerge.
Within a month of the initial reporting, the [[The Football Association|Football Association]] (FA), the [[Scottish Football Association]] (SFA), several football clubs and over 20 UK police forces had established various inquiries and investigations and over 350 alleged victims had come forward. By July 2018, 300 suspects were reported to have been identified by 849 alleged victims, with 2,807 incidents involving 340 different clubs. By the end of 2021, 16 men had been charged with historical sexual abuse offences, 15 of whom were tried. Fourteen – Bennell, Ormond, Higgins, William Toner, Michael Coleman, Jim McCafferty, Robert Smith, James Torbett, Gerald King, Frank Cairney, Norman Shaw, David Daniel Hayes, Dylan Lamb and Geoff Broome – were convicted; all, except King (given a three-year [[probation]] order) were jailed. Paul McCann was cleared. Michael Carson died by suicide before his trial opened. Other allegations involved individuals who had died prior to the revelations, who had died before charges could be brought or who were unfit to stand trial. In addition to criminal prosecutions, civil actions for damages were also instigated against clubs including [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City and Newcastle United.
In July 2018, the FA's independent inquiry was said to have found no evidence of an institutional cover-up or of a [[pedophilia|paedophile]] ring operating within football, but intended publication of its report in September 2018 was delayed, potentially by up to a year, pending Higgins' retrial and further charges against Bennell (tried in 2020). The SFA's enquiry report, making 97 recommendations for improvement, was published in February 2021, and the FA's Sheldon report was published on 17 March 2021. While awareness of child abuse had previously been low, Sheldon said the FA was culpable of "institutional failure" in delaying the introduction of safeguards after 1995. Sheldon also criticised failures at eight professional clubs: [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], Chelsea, Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Peterborough, Southampton and [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]. The FA undertook to implement all 13 of the report's recommendations about improving [[safeguarding]] measures at clubs.
==Implicated individuals==
The sexual abuse allegations related to several publicly identified individuals, listed below in the order in which they were named as the scandal developed from late 2016 through to 2019 (some individuals, including Bennell, Ormond, Langford and Torbett, had previously been named and convicted for earlier offences of sexual abuse).
===Barry Bennell===
On 16 November 2016, former Crewe defender [[Andy Woodward]] alleged in an interview with [[Daniel Taylor (journalist)|Daniel Taylor]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper that he had been the victim of [[child sexual abuse]] by former football coach Barry Bennell at the club in the 1980s<ref name="Guardian-16Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Andy Woodward: 'It was the softer, weaker boys he targeted'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/16/andy-woodward|access-date=19 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=16 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Guardian-17Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|last2=James|first2=Stuart|title=Associate of Barry Bennell also preyed on boys, two former footballers reveal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/17/barry-bennell-two-former-players-reveal|access-date=19 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=17 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBC-17/11/2016">{{cite news|title=Former footballer Andy Woodward tells of sexual abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38007412|access-date=19 November 2016|work=BBC News|date=17 November 2016}}</ref> (Woodward later claimed "People should know I suffered more than one abuser").<ref name="BBCWoodward-22Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Andy Woodward says police interview delay over abuse claims is 'shocking'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38399324|access-date=22 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=21 December 2016}}</ref> By 21 November, it was reported that six other people had contacted the police.<ref name="Taylor-21Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Six come forward after Andy Woodward's allegations of abuse at Crewe|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/21/crewe-alexandra-andy-woodward|access-date=21 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=21 November 2016}}</ref>
On 22 November, ''The Guardian'' alleged that Crewe teammate [[Steve Walters (footballer)|Steve Walters]] had been another of Bennell's victims,<ref name="Taylor-22Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Second footballer reveals abuse by serial paedophile Barry Bennell|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/22/steve-walters-andy-woodward-crewe-alexandra|access-date=22 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=22 November 2016}}</ref> while Woodward criticised Crewe for failing to apologise.<ref name="Taylor-22Nov2016Apol">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Andy Woodward criticises Crewe over lack of apology in Barry Bennell case|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/22/andy-woodward-crewe-alexandra|access-date=23 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=22 November 2016}}</ref> On 24 November, [[Dario Gradi]], manager at Crewe during the early 1980s, released a statement saying he knew nothing of Bennell's crimes until Bennell was arrested in the United States in 1994.<ref name="Gradi-24Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Crewe Alex director of football Dario Gradi: Statement|url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/sport/crewe-alex-director-football-dario-12225031|access-date=24 November 2016|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=24 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Independent-24Nov2016" />
On 23 November, former Manchester City players [[David White (English footballer)|David White]] and [[Paul Stewart (footballer, born 1964)|Paul Stewart]] made similar sex abuse allegations about Bennell,<ref name="BBC-23Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Football sex abuse claims: David White latest ex-player to come forward|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38084213|access-date=24 November 2016|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=23 November 2016}}</ref> and about another coach<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news|title=Paul Stewart: I was sexually abused by my football coach for four years|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/22/paul-stewart-sexual-abuse-coach|website=The Guardian|access-date=23 November 2016}}</ref> (later named as [[#Frank Roper|Frank Roper]]) at the Nova feeder club.<ref name="Roper-01Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Former youth footballer says abuser's death has cheated justice|url=http://www.football.co.uk/manchester-united/former-youth-footballer-says-abusers-death-has-cheated-just/8091435/#egDMLFUxpiOb8q2q.97|access-date=2 December 2016|work=Football.co.uk|date=1 December 2016}}</ref> [[Cheshire Constabulary|Cheshire police]] said they had been contacted by 11 people (including Walters, but excluding White and Stewart) regarding the Bennell case.<ref name="BBC-25Nov2016" /> On 25 November, two further youth players, Jason Dunford<ref name="Dunford-25Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Dunford|first1=Jason|title=Football abuse: 'I fought off Barry Bennell. Then he tried to destroy me'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/25/child-abuse-in-football|access-date=25 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=25 November 2016}}</ref> and Chris Unsworth, also alleged sexual abuse by Bennell, initially at a Manchester City nursery team;<ref name="Cacciottolo-25Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Cacciottolo|first1=Mario|title=Football sex abuse claims: Two more ex-players speak out|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38093421|access-date=25 November 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=25 November 2016}}</ref> Dunford also later spoke of abuse by Frank Roper.<ref name="Roper-01Dec2016"/> (In February 2018, it was revealed that three former Manchester City players had lodged civil cases against the club in March 2016 after allegedly becoming victims of Bennell.)<ref name="Keeling-07Feb2018">{{cite news|last1=Keeling|first1=Neal|title=Three Manchester City players taking legal action in wake of Barry Bennell child sex abuse case|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/three-manchester-city-players-taking-14260452|access-date=8 February 2018|work=Manchester Evening News|date=7 February 2018}}</ref>
On 27 November, another former Crewe player, [[Anthony Hughes (footballer)|Anthony Hughes]], said that he too had been abused by Bennell.<ref name="BBC-27Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Football sex abuse: Crewe launch child abuse investigation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38118429|access-date=27 November 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=27 November 2016}}</ref> Wales and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] youth player Matthew Monaghan,<ref name="BBCWales-01Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Matthew Monaghan 'quit football after abuse by coach'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-38164314|access-date=6 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=1 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="Ashenden-29Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Ashenden|first1=Mark|title=Probe into abuse claims widens as more footballers reveal experiences with coach Barry Bennell|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10676592/probe-into-abuse-claims-widens-as-more-footballers-reveal-experiences-with-coach-barry-bennell|access-date=6 December 2016|work=Sky Sports|date=29 November 2016}}</ref> former [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] reserve team player David Lean,<ref name="Ashenden-29Nov2016" /><ref name="Kelso-29Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Kelso|first1=Paul|title=Barry Bennell victim David Lean told police of hundreds more but 'no one listened'|url=https://news.sky.com/story/barry-bennell-victim-david-lean-told-police-but-no-one-listened-10676263|access-date=6 December 2016|work=Sky News|date=29 November 2016}}</ref> and Wimbledon and ex Northern Ireland international [[Mark Williams (footballer, born 1970)|Mark Williams]] also alleged abuse by Bennell.<ref name="Parveen-29Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Parveen|first1=Nazia|title=Former Northern Ireland player Mark Williams was 'victim of sexual abuse'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/29/northern-ireland-player-mark-williams-victim-sexual-abuse-barry-bennell|access-date=6 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=29 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Austin-29Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Austin|first1=Jack|title=Football abuse scandal: Former Premier League player becomes fifth footballer to reveal sexual abuse|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/football-abuse-scandal-former-premier-league-fifth-footballer-sexual-abuse-barry-bennell-a7445976.html|access-date=6 December 2016|work=Independent|date=29 November 2016}}</ref>
Doubt regarding Crewe's claims of ignorance began to emerge on 25 November. First, Hamilton Smith, a director at Crewe Alexandra from 1986 to 1990, told ''[[The Guardian]]'' that the club heard an allegation that Bennell had sexually abused a junior footballer. However, Bennell was allowed to stay at the club – despite the then chairman, [[Norman Rowlinson]], recommending that the club "get him out" and raising concerns with Manchester City – so long as Bennell was not left alone with boys and was stopped from arranging overnight stays.<ref name="Board-25Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Crewe were warned about Barry Bennell but he stayed on, says former board member|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/25/crewe-barry-bennell-former-board-member|access-date=25 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=25 November 2016}}</ref> In February 2018, it was reported that Rowlinson had sought police advice about Bennell and had been advised to "move him on".<ref name="Taylor-27Feb2018">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Crewe ignored police advice in late 1980s to 'move on' Barry Bennell|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/27/crewe-ignored-police-advice-to-move-on-barry-bennell|access-date=1 March 2018|work=Guardian|date=27 February 2018}}</ref> Smith said fellow directors did not want to rely on [[hearsay]] evidence and local gossip. In 2001, Smith met Tony Pickerin, the [[The Football Association|Football Association]]'s head of education and child protection (formerly head of the FA's national school at [[Lilleshall Hall#Sports centre|Lilleshall]]), and requested an FA investigation into the care of children at Gresty Road. He said he later received a three-line letter from Pickerin saying the FA had "investigated the issues and is satisfied that there is no case to answer".<ref name="Board-25Nov2016" />
Secondly, on 7 December 2016, the BBC reported that the mother of a former Crewe youth team player wrote an anonymous letter to Dario Gradi in 1989–90, asking him to investigate "inappropriate" behaviour involving a member of staff, who "took lots of boys into his room overnight" during a weekend away in Blackpool.<ref name="Ray-07Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Ray|first1=Louis Lee|title=Football abuse claims: Ex-QPR player speaks out|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38225215|access-date=7 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=7 December 2016}}</ref>
====Bennell history====
Once a youth player at Chelsea,<ref name="Mendick-30Nov2016-Bennell">{{cite news|last1=Mendick|first1=Robert|title=Chelsea chief scout accused of child sex abuse once trained Barry Bennell, it emerges|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/30/chelsea-chief-scout-accused-child-sex-abuse-trained-barry-bennell/|access-date=23 December 2016|work=The Telegraph|date=30 November 2016}}</ref> Bennell had worked for at least four English professional clubs: Manchester City, Crewe (from around 1984 until he was sacked in 1992 for reasons that were then not made public),{{efn|In 2019, former Crewe manager Gradi said Bennell had been sacked "for failing to accept specific instructions regarding a coaching session on the pitch before a game."<ref name="Taylor-25Feb2019">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Revealed: the evidence Crewe supplied on Barry Bennell scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/25/crewe-evidence-barry-bennell-dario-gradi-check-overnight-stays-boys |access-date=26 February 2019 |work=Guardian |date=25 February 2019}}</ref>}} [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] and [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]],<ref name="Herbert-25Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Herbert|first1=Ian|title=Barry Bennell: Convicted paedophile worked with at least four professional clubs|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barry-bennell-sexual-abuse-scandal-manchester-city-leeds-stoke-crewe-a7437541.html|access-date=25 November 2016|work=The Independent|date=25 November 2016}}</ref> and from 1992 to 1994 was head coach of the Staffordshire side [[Stone Dominoes F.C.|Stone Dominoes]].<ref name="TaylorObs-26Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=When I started talking to Barry Bennell's victims, I had no idea how deep abuse ran in football|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/26/barry-bennell-victims-football-paedophile-interviews|access-date=27 November 2016|work=The Observer|date=26 November 2016}}</ref> During a 1994 Dominoes tour to the United States, a 13-year-old club player claimed that Bennell had sexually abused him. Bennell was arrested in [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], Florida, and eventually charged on six counts of sexual battery and [[Lascivious behavior|lewd and lascivious behavior]]. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment.<ref name="Herbert-25Nov2016" />
In the meantime, in 1996, a [[Channel 4]] ''[[Dispatches (TV series)|Dispatches]]'' programme highlighted child abuse allegations involving Bennell (also other coaches: Keith Ketley in Ipswich, Bob Higgins in Hampshire). The documentary featured Ian Ackley, a former player at Derbyshire youth side White Knowl, who was one of four boys who had come forward to British police after Bennell's US arrest.<ref name="Cooper-Jan1997">{{cite news|last1=Cooper|first1=Glenda|title=Boy soccer players being put at risk|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/boy-soccer-players-being-put-at-risk-1284592.html|access-date=25 November 2016|work=The Independent|date=23 January 1997}}</ref><ref name="Dickinson-25Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Dickinson|first1=Matt|title='Coach's abuse was like a taboo, a dirty secret'|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/it-was-like-a-taboo-a-dirty-secret-xhvhpcm96|access-date=25 November 2016|work=The Times|date=25 November 2016}}</ref> As a result, although Bennell did not serve the full term of imprisonment in America, he was arrested again on his return to England.<ref name="Herbert-25Nov2016" />
In February 1998, Bennell appeared at [[Mold Crown Court]] in north Wales and pleaded not guilty to charges of [[indecent assault]], [[buggery]] and attempted buggery dating back to the 1970s and 1980s through to 1992, against children aged between nine and 15, with offences alleged to have taken place in Derbyshire, in the Crewe area and at [[Butlins#Pwllheli|Butlin's]] in [[Pwllheli]], north Wales. Bennell was remanded in custody to appear at [[Chester Crown Court]] in June 1998.<ref name="Warrington-25Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Former soccer coach denies child sex charges|url=http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5315416.FORMER_SOCCER_COACH_DENIES_SEX_CHARGES/?ref=arc|access-date=25 November 2016|work=Warrington Guardian|date=26 February 1998}}</ref> At Chester, Bennell was found guilty of 23 offences against six boys (including Ian Ackley),<ref name="Ackley-24Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Abuse victim: FA and football clubs should have protected me from monster|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2016-11-24/abuse-victim-fa-and-football-clubs-should-have-protected-me-from-monster/|access-date=25 November 2016|work=ITV News|publisher=ITV|date=24 November 2016}}</ref> and received a nine-year jail sentence (a further 22 offences were left on file because the [[Crown Prosecution Service]] decided it was better not to put young boys through the trauma of a trial).<ref name="TaylorObs-26Nov2016" /> In May 2015, Bennell (then calling himself 'Richard Jones' and living in [[Milton Keynes]]) received a further sentence of two years after pleading guilty to sexually abusing David Lean<ref name="Ashenden-29Nov2016" /><ref name="Kelso-29Nov2016" /> at a camp in [[Macclesfield]] in 1980.<ref name="Independent-24Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Dario Gradi issues statement to say he knew nothing about Barry Bennell's abuse of young footballers before arrest|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/dario-gradi-statement-barry-bennell-sexual-abuse-crewe-alexandra-andy-woodward-steve-walters-david-a7436821.html|access-date=25 November 2016|work=The Independent|date=24 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Hilton-11May2015">{{cite news|last1=Hilton|first1=Rhiannon|title=Former Crewe Alex coach sentenced for child sex abuse|url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/former-crewe-alex-coach-sentenced-9235124|access-date=25 November 2016|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=11 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="Sentinel-12May 2016">{{cite news|title=Former Crewe Alexandra football scout jailed for indecent assault on 12-year-old child|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/crewe-alexandra-football-scout-jailed-indecent/story-26485463-detail/story.html|access-date=25 November 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=12 May 2015|archive-date=20 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520151349/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Crewe-Alexandra-football-scout-jailed-indecent/story-26485463-detail/story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> (In January 2022, David Lean received a compensation payment from Butlin's current owner, [[Hard Rock Cafe]], for the abuse he suffered by Bennell.)<ref name="BBC-05Jan2022">{{cite news |title=Barry Bennell: Victim secures settlement from holiday park |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59875647 |access-date=10 January 2022 |work=BBC News |date=5 January 2022}}</ref>
At the inquest in 2012 into the death of [[Gary Speed]], it was alleged that Speed and former Manchester United player [[Alan Davies (footballer)|Alan Davies]] had been "favourites" of Bennell, though there was no suggestion they had been abused by Bennell.<ref name="Ward-13May 2012">{{cite news|last1=Ward|first1=Victoria|title=Gary Speed was 'coached by paedophile' as a child|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/news/9262754/Gary-Speed-was-coached-by-paedophile-as-a-child.html|access-date=25 November 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=13 May 2012}}</ref> Both players later died by suicide, as did Mark Hazeldine, coached by Bennell at Manchester City in the early 1980s.<ref name="Taylor-16Feb2018">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Did this special football talent kill himself because of Barry Bennell?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/16/barry-bennell-manchester-city-mark-hazeldine-killed-himself|access-date=16 February 2018|work=Guardian|date=16 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="LT-15Feb2018">{{cite news|title=Gary Speed and three others linked to Bennell committed suicide, jurors told|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/15997114.Gary_Speed_and_three_others_linked_to_Bennell_committed_suicide__jurors_told/|access-date=16 February 2018|work=Lancashire Telegraph|date=15 February 2018}}</ref>
====2016 and 2017 charges====
In November 2016, [[Thames Valley Police]] visited Bennell's Milton Keynes address,<ref name="BBC-25Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Football sex abuse claims: What's happened so far?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38090926|access-date=25 November 2016|work=BBC News|agency=BBC|date=25 November 2016}}</ref> though they said this was "in response to a safeguarding concern" and it was not investigating any offences.<ref name="BBCMore-25Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Football sex abuse claims: More former players speak out|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38093421|access-date=25 November 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=25 November 2016}}</ref> Bennell was taken to hospital in [[Stevenage]] after being found unconscious in [[Knebworth Park]] on Friday 25 November; Thames Valley police said officers had been called to a "fear for welfare" incident. It was believed Bennell was staying at a hotel after leaving his Milton Keynes home as the scandal broke.<ref name="Morris-28Nov2016" /> On 29 November 2016, then 62-year-old Bennell was charged with eight counts of sexual assault against a boy aged under 14, alleged to have taken place between 1981 and 1985.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38150244|title=Barry Bennell charged with child sex offences|date=29 November 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=29 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Dodd-29Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Dodd|first1=Vikram|title=Ex-football coach Barry Bennell charged with eight sexual assault offences|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/29/ex-football-coach-barry-bennell-charged-with-eight-sexual-assault-offences|access-date=30 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=29 November 2016}}</ref> Bennell appeared by [[Videotelephony|videolink]] at South Cheshire magistrates' court in Crewe on 14 December, and was remanded in custody to appear at Chester Crown Court in January 2017.<ref name="Bennell mags ct - 14Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Coach Bennell remanded on sex charges|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38314415|access-date=14 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=14 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="Taylor - Bennellremand - 14Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Former football coach Barry Bennell remanded on child sex charges|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/14/former-football-coach-barry-bennell-remanded-child-sex-charges|access-date=14 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=14 December 2016}}</ref> On 16 January 2017, speaking via videolink from [[HM Prison Woodhill]], Bennell pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was remanded in custody until 20 March 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-football coach Barry Bennell denies sex assault charges|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38634794|access-date=16 January 2017|work=BBC News|date=16 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Football coach Barry Bennell denies child abuse charges|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/16/football-coach-barry-bennell-denies-child-abuse-charges/|access-date=16 January 2017|work=The Telegraph}}</ref>
On 7 March 2017, Bennell was charged with eight further counts of child sexual abuse.<ref name="PA-7March2017">{{cite news|last1=Press Association|title=Barry Bennell charged with eight further counts of non-recent child sexual abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/07/barry-bennell-charged-eight-further-counts-child-sex-abuse|access-date=9 March 2017|work=The Guardian|date=7 March 2017}}</ref> He appeared at South Cheshire magistrates' court via video-link on 13 March, when an additional four charges were also made, and was remanded in custody to appear at Chester Crown Court on 22 March,<ref name="BBC-13Mar2017">{{cite news|title=Ex-football coach Barry Bennell in court over sex abuse charges|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39255084|access-date=16 March 2017|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=13 March 2017}}</ref> when all 20 charges against him were dealt with together. At that hearing, Bennell pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault, five counts of buggery and one count of attempted buggery. The case was adjourned to 3 July 2017 at [[Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, Liverpool|Liverpool Crown Court]] with a trial listed for January 2018 in Liverpool.<ref name="Parveen-22Mar2017">{{cite news|last1=Parveen|first1=Nazia|title=Former football coach Barry Bennell denies 20 child sexual abuse offences|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/22/former-football-coach-barry-bennell-denies-20-child-sexual-abuse-offences|access-date=22 March 2017|work=The Guardian|date=22 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="BBC-22Mar2017">{{cite news|title=Ex-football coach Barry Bennell denies 20 sex offence charges|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39352080|access-date=22 March 2017|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=22 March 2017}}</ref>
In May 2017, Bennell appeared in court having been charged with a further 21 offences: 18 counts of indecent assault, two of serious sexual assault and one of attempted sexual assault, relating to four boys aged between 14 and 16, and alleged to have taken place between 1983 and 1991.<ref name="BBC-09May2017">{{cite news|title=Ex-football coach Barry Bennell charged with 21 more sex offences|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-39861815|access-date=9 May 2017|work=BBC News|date=9 May 2017}}</ref><ref name="BBC-17May2017">{{cite news|title=Barry Bennell: Ex-football coach appears in court by video|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39952596|access-date=19 May 2017|work=BBC News|date=17 May 2017}}</ref>
In June 2017, Bennell appeared in court charged with a further 14 offences (bringing the total to 55); ten of these charges related to indecent assaults on four 11- to 14-year-olds, four for alleged buggery.<ref name="Taylor-21Jun2017">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Barry Bennell charged with 14 further counts of child sexual abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/20/barry-bennell-charged-14-further-counts-historical-sexual-abuse|access-date=21 June 2017|work=The Guardian|date=20 June 2017}}</ref> He made court appearances on 28 June<ref name="BBC-28Jun2017">{{cite news|title=Barry Bennell: Ex-football coach in court on 14 further abuse charges|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40434911|access-date=28 June 2017|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=28 June 2017}}</ref> and 17 July, when he was remanded in custody ahead of a trial due to start on 8 January 2018.<ref name="Echo-21Jul2017">{{cite news|last1=Humphries|first1=Jonathan|title=Ex-football youth coach Barry Bennell to stand trial for alleged abuse of 12 boys|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/ex-football-youth-coach-barry-13366125|access-date=24 July 2017|work=Liverpool Echo|date=21 July 2017}}</ref>
====2018 trial and conviction====
As Bennell had previously changed his name to Richard Jones, in court he was referred to as 'Mr Jones'.<ref name="LEP-08Jan2018">{{cite news|title=Ex-football coach Barry Bennell goes on trial over 'child sex abuse'|url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/ex-football-coach-barry-bennell-goes-on-trial-over-child-sex-abuse-1-8944903|access-date=8 January 2018|work=Lancashire Post|agency=Press Association|date=8 January 2018}}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> At the start of his trial on 8 January 2018, he pleaded guilty to seven offences of indecent assault committed between 1981 and 1991 against three boys.<ref name="Taylor-08Jan18">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Ex-football coach Barry Bennell admits seven child sexual offences|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/08/barry-bennell-the-ex-football-coach-pleads-guilty-to-child-sex-offences|access-date=8 January 2018|work=The Guardian|date=8 January 2018}}</ref> As the prosecution presented evidence relating to the remaining 48 charges, he appeared via video-link due to an illness that required him to be fed through a tube.<ref name="BBC-09Jan2018">{{cite news|title=Barry Bennell: Ex-coach had 'unfettered access' to boys|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42623499|access-date=10 January 2018|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=9 January 2018}}</ref> The jury was sent out to consider its verdict on 8 February 2018, having been directed to return not guilty verdicts in respect of three indecent assault charges where no evidence had been offered.<ref name="Sky-08Feb2018">{{cite news|title=Jury to consider verdict in Barry Bennell case|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11241063/jury-to-consider-verdict-in-barry-bennell-case|access-date=8 February 2018|work=Sky News|date=8 February 2018}}</ref> On 13 February 2018, Bennell was found guilty of 36 sex offences;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43050466|title=Ex-football coach Barry Bennell guilty of sex abuse|publisher=BBC News|date=13 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Taylor-13Feb2018">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Barry Bennell found guilty of sexually abusing youth footballers|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/13/barry-bennell-found-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-youth-footballers|access-date=13 February 2018|work=Guardian|date=13 February 2018}}</ref> after the jury were given more time to consider other counts, on 15 February he was convicted of seven further offences. Following the earlier seven guilty pleas, he was sentenced on Monday 19 February for a total of 50 offences against 12 boys,<ref name="BBC-15Feb2018">{{cite news|title=Ex-football coach Barry Bennell guilty of further sex abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43069415|access-date=15 February 2018|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=15 February 2018}}</ref> and was jailed for 31 years (being expected to serve half in custody, with the rest on licence).<ref name="BBC-19Feb2018">{{cite news|title='Devil incarnate' Barry Bennell sentenced to 31 years|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43118069|access-date=19 February 2018|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=19 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Taylor-19Feb2018">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Barry Bennell branded 'sheer evil' as he is sentenced to 31 years|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/19/barry-bennell-branded-sheer-evil-as-he-is-sentenced-to-31-years|access-date=19 February 2018|work=Guardian|date=19 February 2018}}</ref>
After the guilty verdicts, victims Andy Woodward, Micky Fallon, Chris Unsworth and Steve Walters read statements outside Liverpool Crown Court;<ref name="BBC-15Feb2018"/><ref name="Gstaff-15Feb2018">{{cite news |title='We are no longer afraid of you': Barry Bennell's victims speak out|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/15/barry-bennell-victims-speak-outside-liverpool-crown-court|access-date=15 February 2018|work=Guardian|date=15 February 2018}}</ref> another victim, Gary Cliffe (a serving police officer investigating child abuse)<ref name="Turner-01Mar2020">{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Rhea |title=Man who was sexually abused by pervert football coach Barry Bennell now fights child abuse |url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/burton/detective-who-sexually-abused-barry-3831500 |access-date=13 July 2020 |work=Derbyshire Live |date=1 March 2020}}</ref> waived his anonymity to speak about the abuse he had experienced, aged 11 to 15, from Bennell while at Manchester City.<ref name="Taylor-15Feb2018">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Manchester City 'ignored warnings' and kept Barry Bennell in youth set-up|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/15/manchester-city-barry-bennell-warning|access-date=15 February 2018|work=Guardian|date=15 February 2018}}</ref> The club offered its "heartfelt sympathy to all victims for the unimaginably traumatic experiences they have endured", and said an internal review had identified serious allegations of child sex abuse in respect of a second man, John Broome<ref name="BBC-Broome-15Feb2018">{{cite news|title=Manchester City name second man linked with sexual abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-43076203|access-date=16 February 2018|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=15 February 2018}}</ref> (now dead), with "potential historic connections to the club".<ref name="BBC-15Feb2018"/> Crewe Alexandra expressed its "deepest sympathies" to Bennell's victims, saying it was not aware of any sexual abuse by Bennell nor had it received any complaint about sexual abuse by him before or during his employment with the club.<ref name="BBC-15Feb2018"/> This claim was disputed: the ''Guardian'' alleged Bennell had to leave Crewe following a complaint against him, having been identified as a risk long before joining Crewe, amid a cover-up at Manchester City.<ref name="Taylor-15Feb2018"/> Barrister [[Alex Carlile, Baron Carlile of Berriew|Lord Carlile]], who prosecuted Bennell in 1998, accused Crewe of 'brushing the scandal under the carpet'.<ref name="Roan-15Feb2018">{{cite news|last1=Roan|first1=Dan|title=Barry Bennell: Crewe 'brushed scandal under carpet' says Lord Carlile|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38632026|access-date=16 February 2018|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=15 February 2018}}</ref>
Following complaints from other former players (the ''Guardian'' said there had been allegations from another 86 [February 2018],<ref name="Taylor-100s-15Feb2018">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title='There will be hundreds more,' says player Bennell abused on Maine Road pitch|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/15/barry-bennell-gary-cliffe-manchester-city|access-date=15 February 2018|work=Guardian|date=15 February 2018}}</ref> later "at least 97" [February 2019]),<ref name="Taylor-28Feb2019">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Crewe under fire after telling Bennell victim he waited too long to report abuse |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/28/crewe-barry-bennell-victim-waited-too-long-report-abuse-steve-walters |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=Guardian |date=28 February 2019}}</ref> mostly from Manchester City and Crewe, Bennell was reported to be likely to face a further trial,<ref name="Taylor-15Feb2018"/> though the judge (Clement Goldstone QC) said the [[Crown Prosecution Service]] would have to think carefully as Bennell "may well die in prison."<ref name="Taylor-19Feb2018" /> In September 2018, it was reported that the police and Crown Prosecution Service regarded some of allegations, particularly the rape of minors, as serious enough to warrant criminal action, potentially in 2019.<ref name="Taylor-6Sep2018">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Jailed football coach Barry Bennell may face further abuse charges |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/06/jailed-football-coach-barry-bennell-may-face-further-abuse-charges |access-date=9 September 2018 |work=Guardian |date=6 September 2018}}</ref>
In April 2018, it was reported that Bennell was appealing against his 30-year sentence.<ref name="Taylor-10Apr2018">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Barry Bennell appeals against 30-year prison sentence for sexual offences|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/10/barry-bennell-appeal-against-30-year-sentence|access-date=10 April 2018|work=The Guardian|date=10 April 2018}}</ref> In June 2018, his appeal was rejected and the sentence was upheld by three judges at the [[Court of Appeal (England and Wales)|Court of Appeal]] in London.<ref name="Quinn-20Jun2018">{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Ben |title=Barry Bennell victims welcome rejection of appeal against jail term |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/20/barry-bennell-victims-welcome-rejection-of-appeal-against-jail-term |access-date=21 June 2018 |work=Guardian |date=20 June 2018}}</ref>
====Additional background revealed in 2019====
On 25 February 2019, ''The Guardian'' reported on a nine-page statement from Crewe manager Dario Gradi about what he knew regarding Bennell. Gradi admitted to encouraging a close player-coach culture and to not making detailed background checks about Bennell because Crewe was trying to poach him from Manchester City "on the quiet". Club chairman [[John Bowler (businessman)|John Bowler]] said Crewe had not appreciated the dangers of football being used as a means for an abuser to prey on young boys ("documented procedures that are now in place for the protection of minors were not in place at that time"), while Gradi had not made detailed inquiries into Bennell's background ("He did not have any specific coaching qualifications but none were required and at the time the FA did not publish any guidance on child protection”). However, former club secretary Gill Palin had been uncomfortable about Bennell.<ref name="Taylor-25Feb2019">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Revealed: the evidence Crewe supplied on Barry Bennell scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/25/crewe-evidence-barry-bennell-dario-gradi-check-overnight-stays-boys |access-date=26 February 2019 |work=Guardian |date=25 February 2019}}</ref> Three days later, Steve Walters accused Crewe of showing "no humanity" and "[[victim blaming]]" in a bid to avoid compensation payouts, and of claiming Walters had waited too long to report abuse. The club said Walters's claims included (unspecified) "fundamental inaccuracies".<ref name="Taylor-28Feb2019"/><ref name="Morgan-28Feb2019">{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Tom |title=Barry Bennell victim 'disgusted' by Crewe Alexandra 'denying any responsibility' for abuse |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/02/28/barry-bennell-victim-disgusted-crewe-alexandra-denying-responsibility/ |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=Telegraph |date=28 February 2019}}</ref> Walters and at least one other former Crewe player have each launched High Court damages claims of upwards of £200,000 against the club.<ref name="CreweCron-13Mar2019">{{cite news |title=Duo sue the Alex over their ordeal at hands of abuser Bennell |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=13 March 2019}}</ref>
On 19 March 2019, the ''Guardian'' reported Crewe Alexandra planned to contest victims' claims, using specialist lawyers – appointed for the club by [[English Football League|Football League]] insurers – with experience of defending [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases in Europe#United Kingdom|child sex abuse allegations involving the Catholic church]]. The lawyers argued the club should not be liable for alleged incidents from the 1980s and 1990s that were not committed as part of Bennell's official club duties (Bennell allegedly also ran a feeder team, Railway Juniors, set up by parents) and also argued that, under the [[Limitation Act 1980]], the incidents should be disregarded as victims had not reported them years earlier.<ref name="Taylor-19Mar2019">{{cite news |last1=Daniel |first1=Taylor |title=Crewe claim they did not arrange for boys to stay with Barry Bennell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/19/crewe-barry-bennell-arrange-stays-lawyers-catholic-church |access-date=19 March 2019 |work=Guardian |date=19 March 2019}}</ref> However, on 27 March 2019, the ''Guardian'' reported an apparent U-turn in Crewe's approach; it had agreed an out-of-court financial settlement with one of Bennell's victims.<ref name="Taylor-28Mar2019">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Crewe agree first settlement with Barry Bennell victim after U-turn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/26/crewe-first-out-of-court-settlement-barry-bennell-victim |access-date=28 March 2019 |work=Guardian |date=26 March 2019}}</ref>
In June 2019, shortly before publication of Andy Woodward's biography, ''The Guardian'' reported that Barry Bennell's cousin, Ronald Bennell, had been jailed in 1971 for the murder of his aunt, Lynda Stewart, and that Barry Bennell had married Woodward's older sister, also named Lynda, in 1991.<ref name="Taylor-04June2019">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Andy Woodward: a 1970s murder and the shocking twist to my Barry Bennell story |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/03/andy-woodward-barry-bennell-cousin-mothers-sister-murdered |access-date=4 June 2019 |work=Guardian |date=4 June 2019}}</ref> The ''Guardian'' also said Woodward unsuccessfully sued Crewe for damages in 2004.<ref name="Woodward-04Jun2019">{{cite news |last1=Woodward |first1=Andy |title=Andy Woodward extract: 'Telling my story stopped a young guy ending his life' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/04/andy-woodward-book-extract-abuse-barry-bennell |access-date=5 June 2019 |work=Guardian |date=4 June 2019}}</ref>
====2020 charges====
On 18 May 2020, Bennell, 66, appeared at [[Warrington]] magistrates' court via video link from [[HM Prison Littlehey]] in [[Cambridgeshire]], charged with nine non-recent sexual offences in relation to two complainants.<ref name="BBC-18May2020">{{cite news |title=Barry Bennell: Ex-football coach accused of nine sex offences |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-52709982 |access-date=18 May 2020 |work=BBC News |date=18 May 2020}}</ref> On 31 July 2020 at Chester Crown Court, Bennell pleaded guilty to the nine offences, carried out between 1979 and 1988; the hearing was then adjourned to October.<ref name="BBC-31Jul2020">{{cite news |title=Barry Bennell: Ex-football coach admits more sexual offences |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-53608419 |access-date=31 July 2020 |work=BBC News |date=31 July 2020}}</ref> On 8 October 2020, Bennell was sentenced to an additional four years in prison after being convicted for a fifth time. The term made his total prison sentence 34 years with a further two years on licence.<ref name="Guardian-08Oct2020">{{cite news |title=Barry Bennell sentenced to fifth jail term for sexual offences against boys |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/08/barry-bennell-sentenced-to-fifth-jail-term-for-sexual-offences-against-boys |access-date=8 October 2020 |work=Guardian |agency=PA |date=8 October 2020}}</ref>
====Damages claims against Bennell's former clubs====
In May 2020, it was reported that eight men sexually abused by Barry Bennell were pursuing damages claims against Manchester City (two were also bringing claims against Crewe Alexandra); all eight claims would be heard together at an eight-week trial starting in October 2021,<ref name="BBC-05May2020">{{cite news |title=Barry Bennell sex abuse: Eight men sue Man City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-52549032 |access-date=8 May 2020 |work=BBC News |date=5 May 2020}}</ref> with Manchester City lawyers proposing to call Bennell to give evidence.<ref name="Ziegler-22Apr2021">{{cite news |last1=Ziegler |first1=Martyn |title=Manchester City could call Barry Bennell as witness in compensation claim against club |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/manchester-city-could-call-barry-bennell-as-witness-in-compensation-claim-against-club-cdbb3grf2 |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=Times |date=22 April 2021}}</ref> When the High Court case began in October 2021, the court heard Bennell had operated as a Manchester City scout, carrying a card describing him as City's "north-west representative",<ref name="BBC-21Oct2021">{{cite news |title=Barry Bennell clearly had role at Manchester City, court hears |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-59048392 |access-date=3 November 2021 |work=BBC News |date=26 October 2021}}</ref> and that Bennell had been involved in City schoolboy trials.<ref name="BBC-02Nov2021">{{cite news |title=Barry Bennell: Paedophile coach involved in schoolboy trials, court told |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-59137421 |access-date=3 November 2021 |work=BBC News |date=2 November 2021}}</ref> Bennell gave evidence by video-link from prison on 30 November 2021, denying a connection with Manchester City.<ref name="Lockwood-30Nov2021">{{cite news |last1=Lockwood |first1=Sally |title=Barry Bennell: Paedophile ex-coach denies connection with Manchester City as eight men sue club for child abuse damages |url=https://news.sky.com/story/barry-bennell-paedophile-ex-coach-denies-connection-with-manchester-city-as-eight-men-sue-club-for-child-abuse-damages-12483112 |access-date=19 December 2021 |work=Sky News |date=30 November 2021}}</ref> On 10 January 2022, the High Court said the connection between the abuse and Bennell's relationship with City was "insufficient to give rise to [[vicarious liability]]" and ruled that City could not be held legally responsible for Bennell's acts of abuse; claimants planned to appeal against the judgement.<ref name="BBC-10Jan2022">{{cite news |title=Barry Bennell: Men lose case against Manchester City over abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-59934051 |access-date=10 January 2022 |work=BBC News |date=10 January 2022}}</ref>
====Death====
Bennell died on 16 September 2023 whilst serving his sentence at HMP Littlehey. He was 69.<ref name="BBC-18Sep2023">{{cite news |title=Paedophile football coach Barry Bennell dies in prison |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-66847569 |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=BBC News |date=18 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Paedophile football coach Barry Bennell dies aged 69 in jail after abusing 20 boys |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-barry-bennell-paedophile-dead-30969943 |website=mirror.co.uk |date=18 September 2023 |publisher=Daily Mirror |access-date=18 September 2023}}</ref> He died of natural causes after being treated for cancer of the [[tonsils]].<ref name="BBC-25Mar2024">{{cite news |title=Barry Bennell: Paedophile football coach died of natural causes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-68656004 |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=25 Mar 2024}}</ref>
===Frank Roper===
Frank Roper (who died in 2005), head of Stockport-based feeder club, Nova,<ref name="Roper-01Dec2016"/> was associated with [[Blackpool F.C.]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Identity of paedophile football coach revealed|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2016-12-01/identity-of-paedophile-football-coach-revealed/|access-date=3 December 2016|work=ITV News|publisher=ITV|date=1 December 2016}}</ref> and Barry Bennell. Youth coach Roper abused [[Paul Stewart (footballer, born 1964)|Paul Stewart]],<ref name="Varley-22Mar2021">{{cite news |last1=Varley |first1=Ciaran |title=Football's Darkest Secret: Survivors of child abuse in football tell their stories |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56378292 |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2021}}</ref> and was the subject of abuse complaints by Jason Dunford,<ref name="Roper-01Dec2016"/> plus groping allegations by former [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] player [[Jamie Forrester]].<ref name="Sims-04Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Sims|first1=Alexandra|title=Ex-Southampton coach accused by six former players as football sex abuse scandal widens|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/southampton-bob-higgins-former-coach-named-in-connection-historic-sexual-abuse-claims-continue-grow-a7455561.html|access-date=5 December 2016|work=The Independent|date=4 December 2016}}</ref> On 23 November 2016, former Manchester City players [[David White (English footballer)|David White]] and Paul Stewart made similar sex abuse allegations about Bennell,<ref name="BBC-23Nov2016"/> and about another coach,<ref name="theguardian.com"/> later named as Frank Roper, at the Nova feeder club.<ref name="Roper-01Dec2016"/>
In March 2021, the Sheldon Report said Roper had four convictions for indecent assault of children in the 1960s and 1980s, and used his "close links" to Blackpool to give himself a credibility and authority that he would otherwise not have had. Sheldon was "satisfied" that club officials knew about Roper giving gifts and money to young players and taking them on trips abroad.<ref name="MacInnes-17Mar2021">{{cite news |last1=MacInnes |first1=Paul |title=Key figures and findings in football's sexual abuse report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/17/key-figures-and-findings-in-football-sexual-abuse-report |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=Guardian |date=17 March 2021}}</ref> In July 2021, Blackpool appealed after being ordered to pay £19,000 in damages to a man, then aged 13, abused by Roper during a football tour to New Zealand in 1987;<ref name="BBC-21Jul2021">{{cite news |title=Blackpool FC fights £19k damages order over sex abuse of boy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-57917015 |access-date=21 July 2021 |work=BBC News |date=21 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Gleaves-22Jul2021">{{cite news |last1=Gleaves |first1=Sean |title=Blackpool FC await court ruling on appeal over abuse damages |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/crime/blackpool-fc-await-court-ruling-on-appeal-over-abuse-damages-3318853 |access-date=23 July 2021 |work=The Gazette |date=22 July 2021}}</ref> in September 2021, the Court of Appeal concluded Blackpool was not responsible for Roper's abuse, but the victim planned an appeal to the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|Supreme Court]].<ref name="BBC-09Sep2021">{{cite news |title=Blackpool FC win £20k sex abuse victim damages appeal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-58506712 |access-date=9 September 2021 |work=BBC News |date=9 September 2021}}</ref>
===George Ormond===
On 24 November 2016, ''The Guardian'' reported that an anonymous ex-footballer had contacted police to say he was a victim of George Ormond,<ref name="Taylor-24Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Former Newcastle United player tells police he was abused in club's youth system|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/24/george-ormond|access-date=25 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=24 November 2016}}</ref> a former Newcastle United youth coach who was jailed in December 2002 for offences against young footballers in the area.<ref name="Telegraph-16Dec2002">{{cite news|title=Football coach gets six years for abusing boys|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1416292/Football-coach-gets-six-years-for-abusing-boys.html|access-date=28 November 2016|work=The Telegraph|date=16 December 2002}}</ref> On 29 November 2016, ''The Guardian'' reported allegations by [[Derek Bell (footballer, born 1963)|Derek Bell]] that he had been abused by George Ormond at the Montagu and [[Blakelaw and North Fenham|North Fenham]] boys football club in the 1970s.<ref name="Conn-29Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Conn|first1=David|title=Former Newcastle player on being abused: 'It was horrific. He thought it was normal'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/29/derek-bell-abuse-coach|access-date=29 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=29 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Conn/Parveen-06Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Conn|first1=David|last2=Parveen|first2=Nazia|title='The culture was seedy': the boys club at the heart of north-east football abuse scandal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/06/montagu-and-north-fenham-boys-club|access-date=6 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=6 December 2016}}</ref> Bell later played for Newcastle United (1980–1984) and on 1 December accused Newcastle of a cover-up over the abuse allegations.<ref name="Conn-Bellcoverup-1Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Conn|first1=David|title=Newcastle United accused of a cover-up in 1990s by sex abuse victim Derek Bell|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/01/newcastle-accused-cover-up-1990s-abuse|access-date=1 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=1 December 2016}}</ref> Bell claimed he alerted the club in 1998 but although Ormond's employment ended, his conduct was not investigated or reported to the police until 2001.<ref name="Conn-Bellcoverup-1Dec2016" /> ''The Guardian'' also reported allegations about Ormond from David Eatock, who signed for Newcastle as an 18-year-old in 1995.<ref name="Eatock-30Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Former Newcastle player David Eatock on being abused: 'I wanted to cry but I couldn't even cry'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/30/david-eatock-abuse-newcastle-united|access-date=1 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=30 November 2016}}</ref>
Ormond was described by a judge in 2002 as a "predatory abuser" after he was convicted of 12 indecent assaults and one attempted indecent assault on seven boys which had taken place between 1975 and 1999.<ref name="Telegraph-16Dec2002" />
====2017 charges====
In May 2017, Ormond, aged 61 and from [[Newton Abbot]] in Devon, was charged with 29 offences (27 of indecent assault, one charge of indecency with a child and one of buggery, relating to 17 male complainants and alleged to have taken place from 1973 to 1998).<ref name="Taylor-19May2017">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Former football coach George Ormond charged with 29 counts of child sexual abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/19/football-coach-george-ormond-charged-child-sexual-abuse-newcastle|access-date=20 May 2017|work=The Guardian|date=19 May 2017}}</ref><ref name="BBC-19May2017">{{cite news|title=Ex-Newcastle youth coach George Ormond faces sex charges|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39976788|access-date=20 May 2017|work=BBC News|date=19 May 2017}}</ref> He appeared by videolink at Newcastle magistrates' court on 9 June, and was bailed to appear on 7 July 2017 at [[Newcastle Crown Court]].<ref name="Conn-09Jun2017">{{cite news|last1=Conn|first1=David|title=George Ormond in court charged with 29 counts of child sexual abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/09/george-ormond-court-newcastle|access-date=11 June 2017|work=The Guardian|date=9 June 2017}}</ref> In that appearance, he denied 35 historic sexual offences (33 of indecent assault, one of gross indecency with a child and a serious sexual offence with a 15-year-old) said to relate to 18 complainants, and was bailed to reappear in May 2018.<ref name="Echo-07Jul2017">{{cite news|last1=Wilkinson|first1=Tom|title=Former Newcastle United coach George Ormond denies 35 historic sex offences|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15397399.Former_Newcastle_United_coach_denies_35_historic_sex_offences/|access-date=14 July 2017|work=Northern Echo|agency=PA|date=7 July 2017}}</ref>
====2018 trial and conviction====
Ormond's trial at Newcastle Crown Court started on 24 May 2018. He was charged with 38 sexual offences against 19 victims over a 25-year period from 1973 to 1998. This includes the time he worked at Newcastle United, at a north-east boys’ football club, and as a helper on the [[The Duke of Edinburgh's Award|Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme]] at a Newcastle school.<ref name="Conn-24May2018">{{cite news|last1=Conn|first1=David|title=Coach watched porn with Newcastle United youth players, court hears|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/24/george-ormond-newcastle-united-coach-sexual-abuse-trial|access-date=28 May 2018|work=Guardian|date=24 May 2018}}</ref> The prosecution case concluded on 25 June; Ormond elected not to give evidence in the trial,<ref name="Conn-25Jun2018">{{cite news |last1=Conn |first1=David |title=George Ormond was 'classic groomer and manipulator', jury told |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/25/george-ormond-trial-football-newcastle-united-youth-team |access-date=26 June 2018 |work=Guardian |date=25 June 2018}}</ref> and, after the judge's summing up, the jury retired to consider its verdicts on 29 June.<ref name="Nichol-29Jun2018">{{cite news |last1=Nichol |first1=Sara |title=George Ormond football sex abuse trial: Jury retires to consider verdict |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/george-ormond-newcastle-trial-jury-14844803 |access-date=2 July 2018 |work=ChronicleLive |date=29 June 2018}}</ref> On 3 July 2018, the jury returned guilty verdicts on 36 counts of sexual abuse against 18 victims over a 24-year period between 1973 and 1997 (he was acquitted of two other offences);<ref name="Conn-3Jul2018">{{cite news |last1=Conn |first1=David |title=Football coach George Ormond found guilty of sexually abusing 18 boys |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/03/coach-george-ormond-found-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-18-boys |access-date=3 July 2018 |work=Guardian |date=3 July 2018}}</ref> the following day, Ormond was sentenced to 20 years in prison.<ref name="BBC-4Jul2018">{{cite news |title=Youth coach George Ormond jailed for sexually abusing boys |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-44708149 |access-date=5 July 2018 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=4 July 2018}}</ref>
Newcastle United made no comment apart from saying it had cooperated with the police and FA inquiries.<ref name="Conn-3Jul2018"/> Two victims of Ormond, Paul Chilton and Gary Weymes (and who both gave evidence against him), waived their right to anonymity and said Ormond's 20-year sentence was "not enough" while suggesting other victims had yet to come forward.<ref name="BBC-10Jul2018">{{cite news |title=George Ormond sex abuse victim: 'To me he was God' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-44769509 |access-date=10 July 2018 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In March 2021, Newcastle United was reported to be facing multiple civil claims relating to Ormond's abuse; the club's insurers denied responsibility insisting Ormond's crimes were unrelated to his work at Newcastle and that a legal timeframe had expired.<ref name="Magowan-01Mar2021">{{cite news |last1=Magowan |first1=Alistair |title=George Ormond: Newcastle United facing civil claims over ex-employee behaviour |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56243610 |access-date=1 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2021}}</ref>
===Eddie Heath===
On 29 November 2016, [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] announced it was investigating allegations of historical sexual abuse in the 1970s, including a secret payment to a former player who had accused the club’s ex-chief scout Eddie Heath of child sexual abuse.<ref name="Mendick-30Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Mendick|first1=Robert|last2=Rumsby|first2=Ben|title=Exclusive: Chelsea made secret payment to player in child sex abuse claim|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/11/29/chelsea-made-secret-payment-player-child-sex-abuse-claim/|access-date=30 November 2016|work=Telegraph|date=30 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Guardian-chelsea30Nov2016" /><ref name="Indie-30Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Chelsea made 'secret payment' after former chief scout Eddie Heath was accused of sexual abuse by youth player|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/chelsea-football-sexual-abuse-scandal-a7446466.html|access-date=30 November 2016|work=The Independent|date=30 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Olley-30Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Olley|first1=James|last2=Collomosse|first2=Tom|title=Eddie Heath: The former Chelsea scout who 'spent a lot of time in his office, decorating and cooking meals for schoolboy players'|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/eddie-heath-the-former-chelsea-scout-who-spent-a-lot-of-time-in-his-office-decorating-and-cooking-a3408566.html|access-date=30 November 2016|work=Evening Standard}}</ref><ref name="Fifield-30Nov2016" /> On 2 December, the former player was named as [[Gary Johnson (footballer, born 1959)|Gary Johnson]], who said he was paid £50,000 not to go public with allegations that he was sexually abused by Heath;<ref name="PA-01Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Gary Johnson says Chelsea paid him £50,000 for silence about abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/dec/02/gary-johnson-says-chelsea-paid-him-50000-for-silence-about-abuse|access-date=2 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=2 December 2016}}</ref> the following day, Chelsea apologised "profusely" to Johnson,<ref name="PA-03Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Chelsea apologises 'profusely' to former player over alleged abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/03/chelsea-apologises-profusely-to-former-player-abused-while-at-club|access-date=3 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=3 December 2016}}</ref> who later demanded further financial compensation from the club.<ref name="Johnsoncomp-08Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Gary Johnson demands compensation from Chelsea over sexual abuse claims|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/08/gary-johnson-demands-further-compensation-from-chelsea-over-sexual-abuse-claims-eddie-heath|access-date=8 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=8 December 2016}}</ref> Also on 3 December, ''[[The Independent]]'' reported an allegation from another Chelsea youth player that [[Dario Gradi]], then Chelsea's assistant manager, visited the player's family's home to "smooth over" a complaint of sexual assault against Heath in 1974;<ref name="Indie-03Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Herbert|first1=Ian|last2=Williams|first2=Richard A L|last3=Pitt-Brooke|first3=Jack|title=Dario Gradi covered up sex abuse complaint, ex-Chelsea youth player claims|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dario-gradi-chelsea-sex-abuse-youth-player-complaint-crewe-alexandra-smoothed-over-claims-a7453151.html|access-date=3 December 2016|work=The Independent|date=3 December 2016}}</ref> Gradi was among the first to be targeted by the FA's enquiry,<ref name="FAGradi-06Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=FA to question Dario Gradi over claims he 'smoothed over' sex abuse at Chelsea|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/06/fa-dario-gradi-chelsea|access-date=6 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=6 December 2016}}</ref> and, in connection with these allegations, on 11 December 2016, the FA announced that it had suspended Gradi<ref name="FAGradi-11Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Dario Gradi suspended by FA pending investigation into sexual abuse scandal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/11/dario-gradi-suspended-fa-sexual-abuse-scandal|access-date=11 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=11 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBC-FA-Gradi-11Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Dario Gradi: Crewe Alexandra director suspended pending FA investigation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38279170|access-date=11 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=11 December 2016}}</ref> (Gradi subsequently said he had been notified by the FA of his interim suspension from football on 25 November, and reiterated "that I will do everything within my power to assist all investigatory authorities").<ref name="Ryan-12Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Belinda|title=Dario Gradi issues statement about his suspension by FA|url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/dario-gradi-issues-statement-suspension-12309369|access-date=12 December 2016|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=12 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="Rawlinson-12Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Rawlinson|first1=Kevin|title=Dario Gradi offers to help in football child abuse investigation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/12/dario-gradi-offers-to-help-in-football-child-abuse-investigation|access-date=12 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=12 December 2016}}</ref> Former Chelsea youth goalkeeper [[Derek Richardson (footballer)|Derek Richardson]] became the third player to allege abuse by Heath.<ref name="Mendick-02Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Mendick|first1=Robert|last2=Rumsby|first2=Ben|title=Former FA chief approved 'gag' on Chelsea abuse victim|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/02/former-fa-chief-approved-gag-chelsea-abuse-victim/|access-date=3 December 2016|work=Telegraph|date=2 December 2016}}</ref>
On 4 December 2016, Heath was the subject of allegations of early 1980s abuse made by former youth player Russell Davy, at another London club, [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]];<ref name="ITV-04Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Charlton Athletic FC launches internal investigation over allegation of historical sexual abuse of formeryouth player|url=http://www.itv.com/news/london/2016-12-04/charlton-athletic-fc-launches-internal-investigation-over-allegation-of-historical-sexual-abuse-of-former-youth-player/|access-date=4 December 2016|work=ITV|publisher=ITV|date=4 December 2016}}</ref> Davy also wrote to the FA about Heath but his letter was not even acknowledged.<ref name="Conn re Brackenridge-29Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Conn|first1=David|title=Child abuse in sport and the progress made towards eradicating it|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/29/fa-child-protection-work-celia-brackenridge|access-date=30 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=29 December 2016}}</ref> Later the same month, another Charlton youth player Paul Collins also alleged abuse by Heath.<ref name="BBC-Collins-19Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Football abuse victim: Telling mum 'broke her heart'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38370789|access-date=23 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=19 December 2016}}</ref>
In the 1950s and 1960s, Heath was employed at [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] (former goalkeeper Peter Chapman described him as "the dark eminence of Orient's youth outfit"),<ref name="Chapman">{{cite book|last1=Chapman|first1=Peter|title=Out of Time: 1966 and the End of Old-Fashioned Britain|date=2016|publisher=Bloomsbury|isbn=9781472917164}}</ref> where his sexual abuse was common knowledge among players including former captain Jimmy Scott,<ref name="Leyton-2Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Collomosse|first1=Tom|title=Leyton Orient squad knew Eddie Heath was sexually abusing youth players before move to Chelsea, claims former player|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/leyton-orient-squad-knew-eddie-heath-was-sexually-abusing-youth-players-before-move-to-chelsea-a3410851.html|access-date=23 December 2016|work=Evening Standard|date=2 December 2016}}</ref> before joining Chelsea.<ref name="Olley-30Nov2016" /> In 1979, he contested his dismissal from Chelsea by then manager [[Geoff Hurst]] at an industrial tribunal.<ref name="Olley-30Nov2016" /> After leaving Chelsea, he worked at [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] and then Charlton Athletic, before dying of a heart attack in the early 1980s.<ref name="Mendick-30Nov2016-Bennell" />
In August 2019, Chelsea's board apologised "unreservedly" for allowing Heath, a "prolific and manipulative sexual abuser", to operate "unchallenged". The apology followed an inquiry led by barrister Charles Geekie QC, who was also critical of former assistant manager Gradi. He was accused of failing to tell senior club staff about a sexual conduct allegation concerning Heath made by the parent of a young player.<ref name="Roan-06Aug2019">{{cite news |last1=Roan |first1=Dan |last2=Skelton |first2=Jack |title=Chelsea apology over ex-chief scout Eddie Heath's 'unchallenged' sex abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49251891 |access-date=6 August 2019 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=6 August 2019}}</ref>
===Bob Higgins===
At [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], former trainees Dean Radford, Jamie Webb and, later, Billy Seymour told the BBC about incidents they said happened when they were in their teens.<ref name="Vardy-1Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Vardy|first1=Emma|title=Ex-Southampton footballers describe abuse at club|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-38128841|access-date=2 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=1 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBC-QPR-06Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Ex-QPR employee Chris Gieler named in abuse inquiry|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38221613|access-date=6 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=6 December 2016}}</ref> [[Matt Le Tissier]], who joined Southampton as a trainee in the mid-1980s, recalled being given a naked massage by Higgins. Le Tissier reiterated that he does not feel that he was abused, but thought this incident and other behaviour he witnessed was "very wrong".<ref>{{cite news|title=Matt Le Tissier 'given naked massage' by coach Bob Higgins|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-38230154|access-date=4 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=6 December 2016}}</ref> By 4 December 2016, six players had alleged abuse by an ex-Southampton employee,<ref name="BBC-Soton-03Dec2016" /> and various media named him as Bob Higgins, until recently a first team coach (said not to be  involved with youth players) at non-league side [[Fleet Town F.C.|Fleet Town]].<ref name="Morris-04Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Steven|title=Southampton FC trainer named in connection with abuse allegations|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/04/southampton-fc-trainer-named-in-connection-with-abuse-allegations|access-date=4 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=4 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBCHiggins-04Dec2016"/><ref name="Evans-04Dec2016" />
Bob Higgins was dismissed by Southampton in 1989 after several allegations were made against him,<ref name="Morris-04Dec2016" /> and after he set up the "Bob Higgins Soccer Academy", the [[English Football League|Football League]] wrote to all clubs in April 1989 warning them against any involvement with it.<ref name="James/Morris-05Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=James|first1=Stuart|last2=Morris|first2=Steven|title=Football League warned all its clubs about Bob Higgins in 1989|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/05/football-league-warned-all-its-clubs-about-bob-higgins-in-1989|access-date=5 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=5 December 2016}}</ref> He then joined the [[Malta Football Association]].<ref name="BBC-Malta-07Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Bob Higgins: Ex-Southampton coach 'showered naked' with Malta youth players|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38244413|access-date=7 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=7 December 2016|ref=c2016}}</ref>
In 1991 he was charged with six counts of indecent assault against young boys he had been coaching; at the trial at [[Southampton Crown Court]], he was acquitted on the direction of the judge<ref name="BBCHiggins-04Dec2016"/> when the prosecution offered no evidence.<ref name="Morris-04Dec2016" /><ref name="Evans-04Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Evans|first1=Martin|title=Southampton coach sacked over child abuse allegations is still working in football|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/04/southampton-coach-sacked-child-abuse-allegations-still-working/|access-date=5 December 2016|work=Telegraph|date=4 December 2016}}</ref> Higgins was suspended by the Malta FA between 1990 and 1992 when the original allegations were made, reinstated on a year's probation after being cleared, and then left in 1994.<ref name="BBC-Malta-07Dec2016" /> While working in Malta, Higgins was said to have 'showered naked' with young players; one youth said it was common for Higgins to drive him in his car and touch him around his neck and his legs.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC|date=7 December 2016|title=Bob Higgins: Ex-Southampton coach 'showered naked' with Malta youth players|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38244413|work=BBC News|access-date=8 December 2016}}</ref>
Higgins then worked as a youth coach at [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] from May 1995 to April 1996,<ref name="James/Morris-05Dec2016" /><ref name="Fisher-05Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Fisher|first1=Paul|title=Ex-Peterborough United youth manager Bob Higgins named by police in football abuse investigation|url=http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/crime/ex-peterborough-united-youth-manager-bob-higgins-named-by-police-in-football-abuse-investigation-1-7713396|access-date=5 December 2016|work=Peterborough Telegraph|date=5 December 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220101354/http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/crime/ex-peterborough-united-youth-manager-bob-higgins-named-by-police-in-football-abuse-investigation-1-7713396|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was investigated as part of the 1997 Channel 4 ''Dispatches'' investigation, and denied allegations of abuse, claiming he was a [[Faith healing|faith healer]] and [[born again]] Christian.<ref name="James/Morris-05Dec2016" /> One former youth player alleged Higgins provided "soapy massages";<ref name="Morris-07Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Steven|title=Former Peterborough player expresses anger that Bob Higgins carried on coaching|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/07/former-peterborough-player-expresses-anger-that-bob-higgins-carried-on-coaching|access-date=7 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=7 December 2016}}</ref> another, 'Jon' (not his real name), said he was left emotionally scarred and needing treatment for mental health issues, and that complaints made in 2013 to Peterborough resulted in no action.<ref name="Morris-9Feb207">{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Steven|title=Former player angry 'nothing was done' after alleging abuse by Bob Higgins|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/09/football-youth-player-alleged-abuse-bob-higgins-peterborough|access-date=10 February 2017|work=The Guardian|date=9 February 2017}}</ref>
In 1997, letters were sent to clubs and youth groups warning them that Higgins posed a risk to children.<ref name="BBCHiggins-04Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Ex-Southampton football coach accused of abuse 'not vetted'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38200993|access-date=5 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="Evans-04Dec2016" /> Higgins was then appointed manager of non-league [[Bashley F.C.|Bashley]], until he was sacked in 2001.<ref name="Evans-04Dec2016" /> The BBC reported that Higgins then worked at [[Winchester City F.C.|Winchester City]] for 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."<ref name="BBC-06Dec2016" />
====2017 charges====
On 5 July 2017, Higgins was charged with 65 counts of indecent assault. The offences were alleged to have taken place in the 1980s and 1990s and to have involved 23 alleged victims.<ref name="HantsConst">{{cite news|title=Man charged in connection with non-recent child abuse offences|url=https://www.hampshire.police.uk/news/general/man-charged-connection-non-recent-child-abuse-offences/|access-date=5 July 2017|work=Hampshire Constabulary|date=5 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="Taylor-5Jul2017">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Bob Higgins, former Southampton coach, charged with 65 counts of child sexual abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/05/bob-higgins-charged-child-sexual-abuse-southampton-coach|access-date=5 July 2017|work=The Guardian|date=5 July 2017}}</ref> He appeared at West Hampshire ([[Southampton]]) Magistrates' Court on 20 July, when he indicated he would plead not guilty to the alleged offences and was given unconditional bail until a hearing at [[Winchester Crown Court]] on 16 August 2017.<ref name="BBCHants-20Jul2017">{{cite news|title=Bob Higgins: Ex-Saints coach faces child abuse charges|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-40665856|access-date=24 July 2017|work=BBC|date=20 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="BBC-16Aug2017">{{cite news|title=Bob Higgins: Ex-Saints coach child abuse charges trial date set|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-40948033|access-date=18 August 2017|work=BBC Hampshire and Isle of Wight|date=16 August 2017}}</ref> At a pre-trial hearing in January 2018, Higgins denied 50 charges of abusing 24 boys between 1970 and 1996; he was set to stand trial at [[Salisbury Crown Court]] on 29 May 2018.<ref name="Hammond-04Jan2018">{{cite news|last1=Hammond|first1=Clive|title=Former Saints youth coach Bob Higgins denies 50 counts on child abuse|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15808356.Former_Saints_youth_coach_denies_50_counts_on_child_abuse/|access-date=9 April 2018|work=Southern Daily Echo|date=4 January 2018}}</ref>
====2018 trial and 2019 retrial====
The trial at [[Salisbury Crown Court]] started on 29 May 2018, with Higgins, 65, denying 50 counts of indecent assault between 1971 and 1996 in relation to 24 boys. The prosecution case started on 30 May,<ref name="BBC-30May2018">{{cite news |title=Bob Higgins trial: Ex-football coach 'was serial abuser' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-44300482 |access-date=31 May 2018 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=30 May 2018}}</ref> with the trial scheduled to last six to eight weeks.<ref name="Morris-29May2018">{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Steven|title=Bob Higgins child sexual abuse trial begins|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/29/bob-higgins-child-sexual-abuse-trial-begins|access-date=29 May 2018|work=Guardian|date=29 May 2018}}</ref> The jury retired to consider their verdicts on 17 July 2018.<ref name="BBC-17Jul2018">{{cite news |title=Bob Higgins: Ex-football coach abuse trial jury retires |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-44862619 |access-date=18 July 2018 |work=BBC News |date=17 July 2018}}</ref> On 23 July, Higgins was found guilty of one charge of indecent assault, and not guilty of another count of the same offence, while the jury failed to reach verdicts on 48 other counts of the same charge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bob Higgins trial: Ex-football coach guilty of sex assault charge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-44688435 |publisher=BBC |access-date=23 July 2018 |date=23 July 2018}}</ref> The retrial, on 51 counts of indecent assault, commenced on 26 March 2019 at [[Bournemouth Crown Court]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Football coach Bob Higgins 'abused trainees' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-47669272 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=26 March 2019 |date=26 March 2019}}</ref> On 23 May 2019, Higgins was found guilty of 45 charges of indecent assault against teenage boys, not guilty of five counts of indecent assault, with the jury unable to reach a verdict on one final count.<ref name="Morris-23May2019">{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Steven |title=Football coach Bob Higgins guilty of 45 counts of indecent assault |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/23/football-coach-bob-higgins-guilty-of-45-counts-of-indecent-assault |access-date=23 May 2019 |work=Guardian |date=23 May 2019}}</ref> On 12 June 2019, Higgins was sentenced to 24 years and three months in prison.<ref name="BBC-12Jun2019">{{cite news |title=Football coach Bob Higgins jailed for24 years for abusing trainees |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-48608863 |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=12 June 2019}}</ref>
====2021 Barnardo's report====
In November 2021, a report by the children's charity [[Barnardo's]] criticised Southampton F.C. for missing opportunities to prevent Higgins from abusing schoolboy footballers: "adults in Southampton Football Club during the time Higgins worked for them or on their behalf did not consider the welfare and wellbeing of the boys involved with the club as their prime consideration." It said the damage caused was "incalculable" and "devastating".<ref name="Morris-26Nov2021">{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Steven |title=Southampton FC's historical sexual abuse failures revealed in damning report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/26/southampton-historical-sexual-abuse-failures-revealed-in-damning-report-bob-higgins-barnados |access-date=26 November 2021 |work=Guardian |date=26 November 2021}}</ref> The report also highlighted that Higgins knew Bennell and Carson, saying "it is highly probable that these individuals would have had some awareness of each other’s proclivities." Southampton issued a deep apology, admitting it had "completely failed to protect so many young people from suffering abuse over a long period of time".<ref name="Morris-26Nov2021"/>
===Hugh Stevenson===
On 5 December 2016, allegations spread to [[Scotland]] when a former youth football coach and assistant referee, Hugh Stevenson (who died in 2004), was accused by Peter Haynes of child sex offences over a three to four-year period said to have begun on the day of the [[1979 Scottish Cup Final]] between [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] and [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] at [[Hampden Park]].<ref name="Daly-05Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Daly|first1=Mark|last2=Conaghan|first2=Martin|last3=McKay|first3=Calum|title=Child sex claims against youth coach Hugh Stevenson|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38208329|access-date=5 December 2016|work=BBC|publisher=BBC|date=5 December 2016}}</ref> Stevenson was assistant referee in at least four international matches, including the [[England national football team|England]] v [[Wales national football team|Wales]] home international at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] in 1977, and was a club official at Eastercraigs Boys Club between the late 1970s and mid 1980s, before being asked to leave after attempting inappropriate contact with a boy at another club. He then moved to the [[Glasgow]]-based Chelsea Boys Club, which had an affiliation to the London club, and later was involved with the [[Paisley, Renfrewshire|Paisley]]-based Ferguslie United<ref name="Daly-05Dec2016" /> and [[Cowdenbeath F.C.|Cowdenbeath]].<ref name="Dalyetal-09Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Daly|first1=Mark|last2=Conaghan|first2=Martin|last3=McKay|first3=Calum|title=Youth coach Hugh Stevenson continued in football after child sex claims|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38267236|access-date=10 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=9 December 2016}}</ref> [[Police Scotland]] confirmed that a then 55-year-old man had been investigated by [[Strathclyde Police]] in 1993 and 1996, with reports submitted to the [[Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service]] each time.<ref name="Daly-05Dec2016" />
Also on 5 December 2016, Mitch Agnew, part of Ferguslie United's coaching set-up in the 1990s and a senior figure in the Scottish Youth Football Association, was suspended pending an investigation.<ref name="Dalyetal-09Dec2016" /> In February 2017, he was cleared to return to work after an SYFA investigation was "unable to identify any substantive proof".<ref name="BBC-03Feb2017">{{cite news |title=Youth football official Mitch Agnew cleared by SYFA |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38854335 |access-date=6 August 2019 |work=BBC Scotland |date=3 February 2017}}</ref>
===Jim McCafferty===
In [[Belfast]], on 7 December 2016, former [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] youth coach Jim McCafferty was charged with offences relating to sexual activity with a child, allegedly committed in Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-football coach Jim McCafferty charged with sexual activity with a child|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38245187|access-date=7 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=7 December 2016}}</ref> On 5 January 2017, he appeared via video-link from [[HM Prison Maghaberry|Maghaberry jail]] in County Antrim at Belfast Laganside court, charged with engaging in sexual activity with a child aged between 13 and 16 in Northern Ireland between December 2011 and December 2014. At this and a further court hearing, he was remanded in custody.<ref name="McDonald-05Jan2017">{{cite news|last1=McDonald|first1=Henry|title=Former Celtic youth coach charged over child abuse held in prison for own safety|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jan/05/former-celtic-youth-coach-child-abuse-prison-jim-mccafferty|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The Guardian|date=5 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="Beattie-27Jan2017">{{cite news|last1=Beattie|first1=Jilly|title=Police files handed to PPS over Celtic kit coach child sex charges|url=http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/police-files-handed-pps-over-12513395|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Belfast Live|date=27 January 2017}}</ref> McCafferty was due to appear at Laganside on Friday 1 September,<ref name="ETimes-27Aug2017">{{cite news|title=Former Celtic coach to appear in court on sex charges|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15498018.Former_Celtic_coach_to_appear_in_court_on_sex_charges/|access-date=29 August 2017|work=Evening Times|date=27 August 2017}}</ref> but proceedings were delayed pending medical reports.<ref name="Donnelly-16Sep2017">{{cite news|last1=Donnelly|first1=Michael|title=Trial of ex-Celtic kit man on child sex abuse charges is delayed over medical report|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/trial-of-exceltic-kit-man-on-child-sex-abuse-charges-is-delayed-over-medical-report-36136125.html|access-date=16 October 2017|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=16 September 2017}}</ref> At a further court hearing on 27 September 2017, McCafferty's intention to plead guilty to at least two of eight sex charges was considered, but the [[arraignment]] hearing was adjourned until November 2017 to allow psychiatric reports.<ref name="IrishNews-27Sep2017">{{cite news|title=Former Celtic kit man Jim McCafferty to plead guilty to child abuse pending medical reports|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2017/09/27/news/former-celtic-kit-man-jim-mccafferty-to-plead-guilty-to-child-abuse-pending-medical-reports-1147147/|access-date=16 October 2017|work=The Irish News|date=27 September 2017}}</ref> In February 2018 at Belfast Crown Court, McCafferty was formally arraigned on eight charges, with a trial date set for 21 May 2018.<ref name="IR-23Feb2018">{{cite news|title=Former Celtic kit man Jim McCafferty to face trial|url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2018/02/24/news/former-celtic-kit-man-to-face-trial-1262810/|access-date=4 April 2018|work=Irish News|date=23 February 2018}}</ref>
McCafferty, former kitman for Celtic, Hibernian and [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]], admitted abusing teenagers in the 1980s and 1990s while coaching boys’ and junior teams in [[West Lothian]], Scotland, and at Celtic between 1990 and 1996.<ref name="Kitman-07Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Former Celtic kitman Jim McCafferty 'confesses to sexual abuse in 1990s'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/07/celtic-kitman-jim-mccafferty-confesses-sexual-abuse-football-club-1990s|access-date=9 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=7 December 2016}}</ref>
====2018 and 2019 trials and convictions====
On 21 May 2018, McCafferty, aged 71, pleaded guilty to all eight charges at Laganside Courts in Belfast. McCafferty was remanded to Maghaberry Prison pending a sentencing hearing to take place on 22 June 2018.<ref name="Fitzmaurice-21May2018">{{cite news|last1=Fitzmaurice|first1=Maurice|title=Former Celtic coach Jim McCafferty pleads guilty to child abuse|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/former-celtic-coach-jim-mccafferty-14684840|access-date=21 May 2018|work=Belfast Live|date=21 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="BBC-21May2018">{{cite news|title=Ex-Celtic coach Jim McCafferty pleads guilty to child sex abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-44194256|access-date=21 May 2018|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=21 May 2018}}</ref> Sentencing was later adjourned to 13 August 2018<ref name="BBC-25Jun2018">{{cite news |title=Jim McCafferty: Sentencing adjourned for ex-Celtic kitman |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-44608061 |access-date=26 June 2018 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=25 June 2018}}</ref> when McCafferty was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.<ref name="BBC-13Aug2018">{{cite news |title=Ex-Celtic coach McCafferty jailed for child sex abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-45170358 |access-date=17 August 2018 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=13 August 2018}}</ref>
In a further trial in May 2019, at Edinburgh High Court, McCafferty was jailed for six years and nine months after pleading guilty to 11 charges of abusing teenagers between 1972 and 1996. The victims abused by McCafferty were at [[Celtic Boys Club]], Celtic's youth team, and at youth teams he ran in North Lanarkshire.<ref name="STV-14May2019">{{cite news |title=Former Celtic youth coach admits abusing teenagers |url=https://stv.tv/news/west-central/1437748-former-celtic-youth-coach-admits-abusing-young-children/ |access-date=14 May 2019 |work=STV |date=14 May 2019}}</ref> McCafferty was reported to have connections to Barry Bennell, taking youth players to Manchester and Crewe.<ref name="Daly-14May2019">{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Mark |last2=Clements |first2=Chris |title=Jim McCafferty: The abuser who preyed on dreams of football stardom |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-48253520 |access-date=15 May 2019 |work=BBC News |date=14 May 2019}}</ref>
McCafferty, 76, died in [[HM Prison Glenochil]] on 19 November 2022.<ref name="Suter-29Nov2022">{{cite news |last1=Suter |first1=Ruth |title=Pervert ex-Celtic youth coach Jim McCafferty dies behind bars |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/pervert-ex-celtic-youth-coach-28613556 |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=Daily Record |date=29 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="Vesty-10Apr2023">{{cite news |last1=Vesty |first1=Saray |title=Celtic lawyers accused of 'sticking two fingers up' at Boys Club sex abuse survivors |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/celtic-lawyers-accused-sticking-two-29637431 |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=Daily Record |date=10 April 2023}}</ref>
===Paul McCann===
On 5 January 2017, the FA suspended former youth coach Paul McCann, who worked for Crewe in a voluntary capacity in the 1980s and 90s and was assistant coach of the club's under-16s youth team for a time,<ref name="McCannsuspension-5Jan2017">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|last2=Parveen|first2=Nazia|title=Former Crewe youth coach suspended by Football Association|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jan/04/crewe-paul-mccann-suspended-fa|access-date=5 January 2017|work=The Guardian|date=5 January 2017}}</ref> and later a volunteer youth coach at Merseyside non-league club AFC Bebington in 2014–15.<ref name="Reed-5Jan2017">{{cite news|last1=Reed|first1=Jim|last2=Ray|first2=Louise Lee|last3=Ornstein|first3=David|title=Former Crewe coach Paul McCann suspended by FA|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38508783|access-date=5 January 2017|work=BBC News|date=5 January 2017}}</ref>
====2018 charges, trial and acquittal====
Almost a year later, on 3 January 2018, McCann, 57, appeared at South Cheshire magistrates' court charged with six non-recent sexual offences,<ref name="Cain-02Jan2018">{{cite news|last1=Cain|first1=Andrew|title=Former Crewe Alex coach charged with sexual offences|url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/former-crewe-alex-coach-charged-14105014|access-date=2 January 2018|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=2 January 2018}}</ref> including indecent assault on a boy under the age of 16 years and indecent assault on the same victim when aged 16 or over, dating back to 1987–1989.<ref name="NN-02Jan2018">{{cite news|title=Former Crewe Alexandra coach Paul McCann facing indecent assault charges|url=http://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2018/01/02/former-crewe-alexandra-coach-paul-mccann-facing-indecent-assault-charges/|access-date=2 January 2018|work=Nantwich News|date=2 January 2018}}</ref> McCann, from Great Sutton in Cheshire, appeared at Chester Crown Court on 31 January<ref name="BBC-03Jan2018">{{cite news|title=Former Crewe coach charged with indecently assaulting boy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42556383|access-date=3 January 2018|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=3 January 2018}}</ref> when he denied the charges and was released on unconditional bail.<ref name="BBC-31Jan2018">{{cite news|title=Former Crewe Alexandra coach denies sex offences|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42885109|access-date=8 February 2018|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=31 January 2018}}</ref> He again denied the charges when his trial at Chester Crown Court began on 8 October,<ref name="Taylor-8Oct2018">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Crewe youth coach abused boy over three-year period, court told |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/08/crewe-youth-coach-abused-boy-over-three-year-period-court-told |access-date=8 October 2018 |work=Guardian |date=8 October 2018}}</ref> and on 18 October 2018 was acquitted of all charges.<ref name="Taylor-18Oct2018">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Former Crewe coach Paul McCann found not guilty of sexually abusing player |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/18/paul-mccann-crewe-not-guilty-sexual-abuse-player-barry-bennell |access-date=19 October 2018 |work=Guardian |date=18 October 2018}}</ref>
===Michael Carson===
On 27 January 2017, it was reported that (after Higgins) a second former Peterborough United coach had been arrested during investigations into historical sexual abuse. Michael Sean "Kit" Carson, 73, was held in Cambridge on suspicion of indecency with children and indecent assault;<ref name="Morris-27Jan2017">{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Steven|title=Ex-Peterborough United coach arrested in sexual abuse investigation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/27/man-arrested-in-investigation-into-historical-sexual-abuse-in-football|access-date=29 January 2017|work=The Guardian|date=27 January 2017}}</ref> the following day, he was released on bail until 6 March.<ref name="BBCCarsonbail-28Jan2017">{{cite news|title=Ex-coach 'Kit' Carson bailed in historical abuse probe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-38782657|access-date=29 January 2017|work=BBC News|date=28 January 2017}}</ref>
Carson worked at [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] from 1983 until 1993, and was academy director at Peterborough from 1993 to 2001 (overlapping with Bob Higgins for almost a year; one child abuse victim was reportedly assaulted by both men),<ref name="Morris-23May2019"/> before leaving to become head of talent development at [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] from 2001 to 2005.<ref name="Morris-27Jan2017" />
====2018 charges====
On 2 March 2018 it was announced that Carson had been charged with 11 counts of indecent assault and one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The alleged offences all involved boys under 16, and were said to have occurred from 1978 to 2009.<ref name="bbc-02Mar2018">{{cite news|title=Michael 'Kit' Carson: Ex-football coach charged with abuse of 11 boys|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-43257168|access-date=2 March 2018|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=2 March 2018}}</ref> He appeared at Cambridge magistrates' court on 17 April, pleading not guilty to the 12 charges,<ref name="Morris-17Apr2018">{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Steven|title=Football coach Kit Carson pleads not guilty to child sexual offences|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/17/football-coach-kit-carson-pleads-not-guilty-to-child-sexual-offences|access-date=17 April 2018|work=Guardian|date=17 April 2018}}</ref> then appeared at [[Peterborough Crown Court]] on 15 May 2018 when he was released on bail.<ref name="BBC-15May2018">{{cite news|title=Michael 'Kit' Carson: Ex-football coach denies child sex abuse charges|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-44125571|access-date=15 May 2018|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=15 May 2018}}</ref>
====Death====
Carson, 75, was killed when the car he was driving crashed into a tree near [[Bottisham]] in Cambridgeshire on 7 January 2019, the day his trial was due to start at Peterborough Crown Court; no other vehicle was involved.<ref name="Barnes-08Jan2019">{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Tom |title=Michael 'Kit' Carson: 'Paedophile' football coach killed after car hits tree on day of trial |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/michael-kit-carson-dead-football-coach-car-crash-tree-trial-peterborough-crown-court-sexual-abuse-a8716881.html |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=Independent |date=8 January 2019}}</ref> An inquest into his death was opened on 22 January, when it was confirmed Carson died from a traumatic brain injury;<ref name="BBC-22Jan2019">{{cite news |title=Football coach Kit Carson died of brain injury in crash |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-46959605 |access-date=4 February 2019 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=22 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="Bristow-14Jun2019">{{cite news |last1=Bristow |first1=Tom |title=Inquest into death of former Norwich City youth coach delayed |url=https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/kit-carson-inquest-delayed-1-6105848 |access-date=1 July 2019 |work=Norwich Evening News |date=14 June 2019 |archive-date=1 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701090916/https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/kit-carson-inquest-delayed-1-6105848 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in September 2019, the inquest concluded Carson had taken his own life.<ref name="Morris-09Sep2019">{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Steven |title=Former football coach who crashed car before abuse trial 'took his own life' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/09/michael-kit-carson-football-coach-crashed-car-sex-abuse-trial-took-his-own-life |access-date=23 September 2019 |work=Guardian |date=9 September 2019}}</ref>
===Ted Langford===
On 30 January 2017, former [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] trainee [[Tony Brien]] told the BBC that he had been abused from the age of 12 by club scout Ted Langford (d.2012) in the 1980s while at local youth team Dunlop Terriers (Langford had been named in allegations which surfaced in December 2016).<ref name="Winter-8Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Winter|first1=Henry|title=Leicester and Villa part of abuse inquiry|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/leicester-and-villa-part-of-abuse-inquiry-zm7d52223|access-date=7 February 2017|work=The Times|date=8 December 2016}}</ref> Brien said he had been assaulted on the pretext that the scout needed the player's sperm to establish whether he had a "footballer's gene". When Langford moved to [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], Brien says he had "two or three" conversations with the club's former assistant manager [[Dave Richardson (footballer)|Dave Richardson]] and another senior figure, but was put off from going public with the allegations.<ref name="Reed-Ray-30Jan2017">{{cite news|last1=Reed|first1=Jim|last2=Ray|first2=Louis Lee|title=Aston Villa did not report abusive scout to police|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38770506|access-date=30 January 2017|work=BBC News|date=30 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="BrienAbuse-30Jan2017">{{cite news|title=Football child sex abuse: Tony Brien describes ordeal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38798702|access-date=30 January 2017|work=BBC News|date=30 January 2017}}</ref> In September 2017, it was reported that [[Graham Taylor]] (then manager of Aston Villa, and later manager of [[England national football team|England]]) had discouraged Brien from reporting what had happened, telling him that he should "move on".<ref name="Taylor-13Sep2017">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Graham Taylor involved in sexual abuse cover-up at Aston Villa, inquiry told|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/13/graham-taylor-sexual-abuse-cover-up-aston-villa|access-date=13 September 2017|work=Guardian|date=13 September 2017}}</ref>
Langford was sacked by Aston Villa in 1988. He later admitted sex offences, dating from 1976 until after he left the club in 1989; he was sentenced to three years in prison in 2007 for the sexual abuse of four young players (excluding Brien) in the 1970s and 80s. He died in 2012.<ref name="Reed-Ray-30Jan2017" /><ref name="BrienAbuse-30Jan2017" />
===Harry Dunn===
On 24 March 2017, it was reported that 84-year-old former youth football scout Harry Dunn, who had worked at [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] and Chelsea, had been arrested by Scottish police investigating allegations of historical sex abuse.<ref name="BBC-24Mar2017">{{cite news|title=Former football youth scout arrested on sex charges|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-39379347|access-date=24 March 2017|work=BBC News|agency=BBC|date=24 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="PA-24Mar2017">{{cite news|title=Former scout arrested in historical football sexual abuse investigation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/24/ex-scout-arrested-historical-football-sexual-abuse-investigation|access-date=24 March 2017|work=The Guardian|agency=Press Association|date=24 March 2017}}</ref> In February 2017, Dunn had been the subject of allegations by a former Rangers youth player, Darren Mixon, concerning an incident in 1984.<ref name="Herald-20Feb2017">{{cite news|title=Former Rangers youth scout in historic sex probe|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15103543.Former_Rangers_youth_scout_in_historic_sex_probe/|access-date=24 March 2017|work=The Herald|date=20 February 2017}}</ref> In November 2017, it was reported that Dunn had died awaiting trial.<ref name="BBC-20Nov2017">{{cite news|title=Ex-youth football scout facing abuse charges dies|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42055555|access-date=7 January 2018|work=BBC Scotland|date=20 November 2017}}</ref>
===James Torbett===
James Torbett, a former [[Celtic Boys Club]] manager, was found guilty in 1998 of shameless and indecent conduct with three juvenile players between October 1967 and March 1974,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/213063.stm |title=Former Celtic manager guilty of abuse |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=12 November 1998 |access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref><ref name=anger>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12364258.Celtic_Boys_apos__Club_founder_guilty_of_shameless_indecency_Anger_over_allegations_suggesting_that_Jock_Stein_was_involved_in_20_year_cover_up/|title=Celtic Boys' Club founder guilty of shameless indecency|work=[[The Herald (Scotland)|The Herald]] |date=13 November 1998|access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref> and given a prison sentence of 30 months.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2005/sep/18/childrensservices.crime |title=Child abusers who shame British football |work=[[The Observer]] |last=Bentham |first=Martin |date=18 September 2005 |access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref> In April 2017, a [[BBC Scotland]] programme ''Football Abuse: The Ugly Side of the Beautiful Game'', alleged that the reasons for Torbett leaving Celtic Boys' Club in 1974 were covered up, that Torbett was allowed to return to the Boys' Club, and that two youth players (one named as Kenny Campbell) were abused by Torbett in his second spell at the Boys' Club during the 1980s and 1990s – claims which Torbett has "vehemently" denied.<ref name="Daly-11Apr2017">{{cite news|last1=Daly|first1=Mark|title=New allegations in football abuse scandal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-39557101/new-allegations-in-football-abuse-scandal|access-date=12 April 2017|work=BBC News|date=11 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Celtic Boys' Club sex abuse allegations against Jim Torbett revealed|url=https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15216616.amp/|work=[[Evening Times]] |date=11 April 2017|access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref> Tracked down in America, Torbett was confronted by a BBC Scotland reporter about the Campbell allegations; he said: "I have a lot to say. I'll see him in court," and denied being a [[Pedophilia|paedophile]].<ref name="Daly-02May2017">{{cite news|last1=Daly|first1=Mark|title=Ex-Celtic Boys Club coach accused of abuse tracked to US|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39774853|access-date=2 May 2017|work=BBC Scotland|date=2 May 2017}}</ref>
====2017 charges====
In early May 2017, following a visit from [[United States Department of Homeland Security|US Homeland Security]], he returned to the UK;<ref name="Daly-03May2017">{{cite news|last1=Daly|first1=Mark|title=Ex-Celtic Boys Club coach accused of abuse returns to UK|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39797325|access-date=4 May 2017|work=BBC Scotland|publisher=BBC|date=3 May 2017}}</ref> he was subsequently arrested and charged with six offences (three of indecent assault and three of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices), and on 5 May 2017 appeared at [[Glasgow Sheriff Court]] where he was released on bail.<ref name="STV-5May2017">{{cite news|title=Ex-Celtic Boys Club coach charged over sex offences|url=https://stv.tv/news/west-central/1387729-ex-celtic-boys-club-coach-charged-over-sex-offences/|access-date=8 May 2017|work=STV|date=5 May 2017}}</ref> In April 2018, Torbett appeared at the High Court in Glasgow where he faced 12 historical sexual abuse charges dating from January 1970 to August 1994; a June 2018 trial date was set.<ref name="McLaren-05Apr2018">{{cite news|last1=McLaren|first1=Andy|title=Ex-Celtic Boys Club coach to stand trial on abuse charges|url=https://stv.tv/news/west-central/1411830-ex-celtic-boys-club-coach-to-stand-trial-over-sex-offences/|access-date=6 April 2018|work=STV News|date=5 April 2018}}</ref>
====2018 and 2023 trials and convictions====
The trial, expected to last ten days, started on 25 June 2018, with Torbett denying all charges.<ref name="BBCScot-25Jun2018">{{cite news |title=Trial hears of football ground links to child sex attacks |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-44601516 |access-date=26 June 2018 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=25 June 2018}}</ref> On 4 July 2018, a [[contempt of court]] order was issued regarding the case.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contempt of Court Orders |url=https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/current-business/court-notices/contempt-of-court-orders|access-date=14 October 2018 |publisher=[[Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service]] }}</ref> On 22 October 2018, Torbett went on trial again at the [[Justiciary Buildings, Glasgow|Justiciary Buildings in Glasgow]], charged with nine offences of sexual assault on six children between 1970 and 1990.<ref name="Anderson-22Oct2018">{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Deborah |title=Man goes on trial accused of historic sexual abuse of four young boys |url=https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17000120.man-goes-on-trial-accused-of-historic-sexual-abuse-of-four-young-boys |access-date=23 October 2018 |work=Evening Times |date=22 October 2018}}</ref> On 5 November 2018, he was found guilty of five offences against three boys and was sentenced to six years in prison.<ref>{{cite news|title=Celtic Boys Club founder guilty of abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-46098908|work=BBC News |date=5 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=HMA v James Torbett|url=http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/8/2088/HMA-v-James-Torbett|publisher=[[Judiciary of Scotland]]|date=5 November 2018|access-date=8 November 2018|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106004820/http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/8/2088/HMA-v-James-Torbett|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Celtic Boys' Club founder Jim Torbett had long history of abusing boys|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/celtic-boys-club-founder-jim-13538699|author1=Grant McCabe|author2=Ashlie McAnally|date=5 November 2018|work=Daily Record|access-date=8 November 2018 }}</ref>
In April 2023 at the High Court in [[Inverness]], Torbett was found guilty of four charges of sexually abusing a 13-year-old player in 1967.<ref name="BBC-25Apr2023">{{cite news |title=Celtic Boys Club founder Jim Torbett guilty of abusing 13-year-old boy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65387299 |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=BBC News |date=25 April 2023}}</ref> Previously potentially eligible for early release in May 2024, he was jailed for a further three years.<ref name="STV-25Apr2023">{{cite news |title=Celtic Boys Club founder who abused player handed further jail term |url=https://news.stv.tv/west-central/celtic-boys-club-founder-jim-torbett-handed-further-three-year-jail-term-for-abusing-young-boy |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=STV news |date=25 April 2023}}</ref>
===Gordon Neely===
The same BBC Scotland programme also made new allegations against Gordon Neely (who died in 2014), a youth coach at Rangers in the 1980s who, after abuse allegations were made, had been "dismissed immediately," the Glasgow club said.<ref name="BBC-Offside-05Dec2016" /> Neely had also been accused by former youth player Colin Anderson of abuse at Edinburgh youth club [[Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale F.C.|Hutchison Vale]].<ref name="STV-06Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Former youth footballer tells of sexual abuse by Scots coach|url=https://stv.tv/news/east-central/1374970-former-youth-footballer-tells-of-sexual-abuse-by-scots-coach/|access-date=9 December 2016|work=STV News|date=6 December 2016}}</ref> According to the BBC, youth player Jon Cleland was repeatedly raped by Neely while at Hutchison Vale and at [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] (Neely took up a youth development position with Hibs in around 1983).<ref name="Daly-11Apr2017" /> After abuse allegations were made against Neely in 1986, he was sacked by Hibs who did not inform the police or his new employer Rangers FC. After he was accused of abuse at Rangers he was sacked. Rangers claim to have informed the police, however Neely’s accuser denies this. After he left Rangers in about 1990, he allegedly continued to abuse young players when offering one-to-one training and activity weekends in [[Dunkeld]] and [[Dalguise]], Perthshire, for young footballers.<ref name="Daly-11Apr2017" />
===Gerald King===
In mid April 2017, Gerald King, a former chairman of Celtic Boys Club, was charged by police with non-recent sexual offences.<ref name="GL-14Apr2017">{{cite news|title=Former chairman of Celtic Boys Club suspended from job as primary school teacher after historical sex abuse allegations|url=http://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/former-chairman-celtic-boys-club-12893353|access-date=8 May 2017|work=Glasgow Live|date=14 April 2017}}</ref> In February 2018, he pleaded not guilty to seven offences, and was bailed.<ref name="BBCScot-06Feb2018">{{cite news|title=Primary teacher in court over 1980s sex abuse allegations|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-42967425|access-date=4 April 2018|work=BBC News|agency=BBC|date=6 February 2018}}</ref> His bail was extended at hearings at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 17 April<ref name="Mitchell-21Jun2018">{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Jenness |title=Glasgow teacher Gerald King accused of sexually abusing school children |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16164822.Glasgow_primary_teacher_accused_of_sexually_abusing_pupils/ |access-date=21 June 2018 |work=Evening Times |date=17 April 2018}}</ref> and 23 May 2018.<ref name="BBC-23May2018">{{cite news |title=Former teacher accused of abuse at Glasgow primary school |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-44224644 |access-date=21 June 2018 |work=BBC News |date=23 May 2018}}</ref> King's trial began on 26 November 2018 at Glasgow Sheriff Court. King, 66, was accused of lewd and libidinous practices towards five boys and two girls while he was a teacher at a Glasgow school, between August 1983 and June 1989; he was also charged with taking or permitting to be taken indecent images of children between January 1987 and December 1988 at [[Barrowfield]] football park in Glasgow.<ref name="McAnally-27Nov2018">{{cite news |last1=McAnally |first1=Ashlee |title=Ex-teacher on trial for sex offences |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ex-teacher-on-trial-for-sex-offences-vx0nv7tfw |access-date=27 November 2018 |work=Times}}</ref> On 5 December 2018, King was convicted of five charges of using lewd and libidinous practises towards five victims between August 1984 and April 1989, and found guilty of taking indecent pictures of children in February 1987. Sentencing was deferred until 7 January 2019<ref name="BBC-05Dec2018">{{cite news |title=Former Celtic Boys Club boss found guilty of sex abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-46460307 |access-date=7 December 2018 |work=BBC News |date=5 December 2018}}</ref> when King was given a three-year probation order, ordered to do community service and put on the sex offenders register for five years.<ref name="BBC-07Jan2019">{{cite news |title=Former Celtic Boys Club boss given probation for sex abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-46785576 |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=BBC News |date=7 January 2019}}</ref>
===Frank Cairney===
In late April 2017, Frank Cairney, a former Celtic Boys Club coach and manager (who, in November 1998, had been acquitted of charges of shameless indecency towards young football players due to lack of evidence),<ref name="Herald-07Nov1998">{{cite news|title=Celtic Boys' Club manager acquitted|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12250472.Celtic_Boys_apos__Club_manager_acquitted/|access-date=4 April 2018|work=Herald Scotland|date=7 November 1998}}</ref> was charged in connection with six alleged historical sexual offences.<ref name="BBC-25Apr2017">{{cite news|title=Ex Celtic Boys Club official faces sex abuse charge|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-39713012|access-date=28 April 2017|work=BBC Scotland|agency=BBC|date=25 April 2017}}</ref> He appeared at [[Hamilton Sheriff Court]] on 11 May 2018, facing ten charges of alleged abuse between 1965 and 1986, including indecent assault, gross indecency and lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour. After Cairney's defence team requested a delay to investigate witness statements,<ref name="MT-14May2018">{{cite news |title=Sexual abuse trial subject to long delay |url=https://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/news/crime/sexual-abuse-trial-subject-to-long-delay-1-4739109 |access-date=21 June 2018 |work=Motherwell Times |date=14 May 2018}}</ref> the trial at Hamilton began in early December 2018 with Cairney, 82, denying all ten charges.<ref name="Meikle-08Dec2018">{{cite news |last1=Meikle |first1=David |title='Abusive coach Frank Cairney respected for his Celtic links' |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/abusive-coach-frank-cairney-respected-for-his-celtic-links-kj5tjfwpr |access-date=10 December 2018 |work=Times |date=8 December 2018}}</ref> On 14 December, Cairney was found guilty of nine charges of sexually abusing young footballers, placed on the sex offenders register and was granted bail before being sentenced.<ref name="BBC-14Dec2018">{{cite news |title=Former Celtic Boys Club manager Frank Cairney guilty of abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-46571504 |access-date=14 December 2018 |work=BBC News |date=14 December 2018}}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Cairney was jailed for four years.<ref name="BBC-07Feb2019">{{cite news |title=Ex-Celtic Boys Club coach jailed over abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-47157008 |access-date=8 February 2019 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=7 February 2019}}</ref>
Further allegations against Cairney emerged after other victims contacted police in 2018 and 2019 (in July 2019, Cairney was reported to be of interest to police in [[Kearny, New Jersey]] over allegations of sexual assault of a 16-year-old player during a 1991 Celtic Boys Club tour to the US),<ref name="NJ-26Jul2019">{{cite news |last1=Heyboer |first1=Kelly |title=Coach was called a 'serial beast' for abusing kids in Scotland. Now, he's under investigation in N.J., cops say. |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2019/07/coach-was-called-a-serial-beast-for-abusing-kids-in-scotland-now-hes-under-investigation-in-nj-cops-say.html |access-date=23 November 2023 |work=NJ.com |date=26 July 2019}}</ref> and, in January 2023, Cairney was due to stand trial on three indecent assaults at [[Glasgow Sheriff Court]]. However, while a judge accepted the allegations, Cairney, 87, was found to be unfit to stand trial, suffering from health problems including dementia.<ref name="Williams-25Jan2023">{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Martin |title=Frank Cairney: Judge finds Celtic Boys Club coach abused three players |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/23276499.frank-cairney-judge-finds-celtic-boys-club-coach-abused-three-players/ |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=Herald Scotland |date=25 January 2023}}</ref>
===Robert Smith===
Robert Smith was jailed for 27 months in 2016 for sexually abusing three boys aged between nine and 12 who played for a football team he was coaching in the [[Easterhouse]] area of [[Glasgow]] in the 1980s. In June 2018, he pleaded guilty to six further charges: four charges of using lewd and libidinous practices and two charges of indecent assault.<ref name="ET-24Jun2018">{{cite news |title=Robert Smith: Glasgow paedophile admits to abusing boys as young as NINE |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16310744.robert-smith-glasgow-paedophile-admits-to-abusing-boys-as-young-as-nine/ |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=Evening Times |date=24 June 2018}}</ref> On 13 July 2018, Smith, 69, was sentenced to 20 months in prison.<ref name="McAnally-13Jul2018">{{cite news |last1=McAnally |first1=Ashlie |title=Victim of paedophile football coach Robert Smith slams 'lenient' sentence of 20 months |url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/victim-paedophile-football-coach-robert-14906256 |access-date=17 August 2018 |work=Glasgow Live |date=13 July 2018}}</ref>
===William Toner===
On 20 July 2018, William Toner, 74, was jailed for three years and two months on four counts of indecent assault against a teenage boy in the 1990s. A trial heard he preyed on a junior footballer after claiming to work for Manchester City and having links to clubs in Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Cambridgeshire.<ref name="Taylor-20Jul2018">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Manchester City investigate if newly jailed sex abuser had links to club |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/20/manchester-city-investigate-sex-abuser-links-william-toner-barry-bennell |access-date=20 July 2018 |work=Guardian |date=20 July 2018}}</ref>
===Michael Coleman===
Also on 20 July 2018, Michael Coleman, 75, was jailed for seven years on three counts of indecent assault at [[Bolton Crown Court]].  He was unconnected to any senior club when he committed his crimes in the 1980s while he was manager of [[Westhoughton]] Sports Centre.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-44904068 Westhoughton: former football coach jailed for abusing boys – BBC News, 20 July 2018]</ref>
===Norman Shaw===
On 15 January 2019 at the High Court in Edinburgh, former football coach Norman Shaw, 84, was jailed for nine years for sexual abuse against boys between August 1979 and December 1989 when he was involved with a children's team called Perth Rovers.<ref name="BBC-15Jan2019">{{cite news |title=Ex-football coach jailed for abusing boys in Perth |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-46881678 |access-date=16 January 2019 |work=BBC News |date=15 January 2019}}</ref>
===David Daniel Hayes===
In February 2019, David Daniel Hayes, 40, former press officer at [[Bangor City F.C.|Bangor City]], went on trial at Mold Crown Court, accused of 13 child sex offences.<ref name="NWChron-12Feb2019">{{cite news |title=Former Bangor City FC press officer denies alleged rape and sexual abuse of boy and girl as trial continues in Mold |url=https://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/17425986.former-bangor-city-fc-press-officer-denies-alleged-rape-and-sexual-abuse-of-boy-and-girl-as-trial-continues-in-mold |access-date=14 February 2019 |work=North Wales Chronicle |date=12 February 2019}}</ref> Charged with offences in 2015, he became a fugitive from justice before being re-arrested in Spain in July 2018.<ref name="Spridgeon-27Jul2018">{{cite news |last1=Spridgeon |first1=Dale |title=Wanted Anglesey fugitive David Daniel Hayes arrested in Spain |url=https://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/16382919.wanted-anglesey-fugitive-david-daniel-hayes-arrested-in-spain/ |access-date=15 February 2019 |work=North Wales Chronicle |date=27 July 2018}}</ref> On 20 February 2019, Hayes was found guilty of 12 sexual offences, including rape, against a girl and boy who were aged 10 or under at the time they were subject to his abuse. Ahead of a sentencing hearing, Hayes was told to expect a "lengthy custodial sentence",<ref name="NWC-20Feb2019">{{cite news |title=David Daniel Hayes was told to prepare for a "very lengthy custodial sentence" by judge ahead of sentencing on 22 March |url=https://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/17446063.david-daniel-hayes-was-told-to-prepare-for-a-very-lengthy-custodial-sentence-by-judge-ahead-of-sentencing-on-march-22/ |access-date=22 February 2019 |work=North Wales Chronicle |date=20 February 2019}}</ref> and on 26 March 2019 was jailed for 23 years.<ref name="BBC-26Mar2019">{{cite news |title=Paedophile David Daniel Hayes jailed after Spain arrest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47704528 |access-date=26 March 2019 |work=BBC News |date=26 March 2019}}</ref>
===Phil Edwards===
Phil Edwards, once a physiotherapist at [[Watford F.C.|Watford]], was arrested in early 2019 on suspicion of sexual activity with a teenage boy in the 1990s, and died while an inquiry into the alleged offence was under way.<ref name="BBC-08Jul2019">{{cite news |title=Ex-Watford physio Phil Edwards dies after child sex arrest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-48909606 |access-date=8 July 2019 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=8 July 2019}}</ref> Further allegations of sexual abuse were made by more than 20 people, and the club, while launching its own investigation, compiled a file for submission to the FA's Sheldon inquiry.<ref name="Louis-22Jan2020">{{cite news |last1=Louis |first1=Nathan |title=Ex-Watford FC physio investigated as part of football sex abuse scandal |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/18179412.ex-watford-fc-physio-phil-edwards-alleged-victims-come-forward/ |access-date=23 January 2020 |work=Watford Observer |date=22 January 2020}}</ref>
===Dylan Lamb===
Lamb (also known as Johnathan Haythorne and Jonathan Haythorne Price), a football and hockey coach, sexually abused five teenage boys, targeting victims in [[Rotherham]], [[Doncaster]] and [[Brigg]] from the 1970s through to early 2000. Reported after publicity by the Football Association, Lamb, 72, was arrested, and later tried, convicted and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment at [[Sheffield Crown Court]] in December 2019.<ref name="Leeson-5Dec2019">{{cite news |last1=Leeson |first1=Lucy |title=Yorkshire football and hockey coach sexually abused five teenage boys |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crime/yorkshire-football-and-hockey-coach-sexually-abused-five-teenage-boys-1-10139090 |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=Yorkshire Post |date=5 December 2019}}</ref>
===Geoff Broome===
Broome worked as youth football coach at [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]], [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] and other Lincolnshire youth teams in the 1980s and 1990s.<ref name="BBC-27Apr2021">{{cite news |title=Geoffrey Broome: Youth football coach jailed for abusing players |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-56898517 |access-date=23 August 2022 |work=BBC News |date=27 April 2021}}</ref> In 1987, he received a caution for indecent assault on two 11-year-old boys.<ref name="Corcoran-27May2021">{{cite news |last1=Corcoran |first1=Sophie |title=Iron bosses knew football coach Geoff Broome was a paedophile but let him carry on coaching youngsters |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/iron-bosses-knew-football-coach-5386406 |access-date=23 August 2022 |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=27 May 2021}}</ref> In 1996, Scunthorpe United's chief executive was notified about the caution, but Broome was allowed to continue coaching activities. Later the same year, Scunthorpe United met with Humberside Social Services, and it was decided Broome should not supervise footballers under the age of 16. However, he was allowed on an under-16 trip to [[Ayr]] in 1997, where he slept in a dormitory with under 16s. Broome was dismissed in 1997, but re-employed in 1998.<ref name="Corcoran-27May2021" /> Then, after receiving confirmation of Broome's caution from [[Humberside Police]], Scunthorpe United dismissed him again in 1999. In 2000, the FA confirmed that Broome could not have contact with children through football, but he was spotted talking to under-14 footballers in 2001 and later became involved with children's football in a [[Lincolnshire]] league. In 2005, the Lincolnshire FA removed the children's teams from the league. Humberside Police launched an investigation into Broome in 2016. In 2017 he was caught by a paedophile vigilante group in [[Kingston-upon-Hull|Hull]] after arranging a meeting with what he thought was a young boy.<ref name="Corcoran-27May2021" /> Broome was later arrested and charged with eight counts of indecent assault on underage boys. At Doncaster Crown Court in April 2021, he was found guilty of all eight charges and sentenced to four years in prison.<ref name="BBC-27Apr2021" /><ref name="Corcoran-27May2021" /> Further, unproven, allegations were made against Broome in October 2021.<ref name="Craig-18Oct2021">{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Peter |title=Paedophile football coach investigated over new sexual abuse claims |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/paedophile-football-coach-investigated-over-6076308 |access-date=23 August 2022 |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=18 October 2021}}</ref>
===Other alleged abusers===
Alleged abusers also included (in alphabetical order):
* Former Hampshire FA chief Ray Barnes, involved in inquiries into Bob Higgins's conduct, was later convicted of indecently assaulting three boys.<ref name="BBC-06Dec2016" />
* John Broome (now dead) was named by Manchester City as someone allegedly engaged in sexual abuse at a [[Levenshulme]]-based feeder team Whitehill FC (now defunct), with an ex-player claiming damages from City.<ref name="Pilling-20Feb2018">{{cite news |last1=Pilling |first1=Kim |last2=Scheerhout |first2=John |title=Coach John Broome could have abused hundreds of boys, claims former youth footballer |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/coach-john-broome-could-abused-14314092 |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=20 February 2018}}</ref>
* Chris Gieler (who died in 2004), youth development manager and chief scout during a 32-year career at [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]], was also named in historical child abuse allegations.<ref name="BBC-QPR-06Dec2016" />
* John Hart (died in 1995), physiotherapist at [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]], was dismissed in 1992 over sex abuse allegations.<ref name="STV-07Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Partick Thistle sacked physio over sex abuse allegations|url=https://stv.tv/news/west-central/1375084-partick-thistle-sacked-physio-over-sex-abuse-allegations/|access-date=9 December 2016|work=STV News|date=7 December 2016}}</ref> [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]] also launched an investigation into alleged historical sexual abuse as Hart had also worked at the Fir Park club.<ref name="Motherwell-09Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Motherwell FC launch child sexual abuse investigation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-38269138|access-date=10 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=9 December 2016}}</ref>
* Keith Ketley was a convicted sex offender who was still able to set up a Football Association-affiliated team, Ipswich Saracens. At the time of the 1999 Channel 4 ''Dispatches'' programme, he was serving five years in prison after being found guilty on four counts of indecent assault.<ref name="Cooper-Jan1997"/>
* David King, convicted in 1997 of sexual offences against a 10-year-old pupil at the school where he was the headteacher, was an associate of George Ormond at Newcastle's Montagu and North Fenham boys football club.<ref name="Conn/Parveen-06Dec2016" />
* Billy Watts (who died in 2009) was a caretaker at [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], subject to disciplinary action in 1989 while working at the club’s former training ground, The Cliff, and moved to another position away from the club's youth team.<ref name="Tuckers">{{cite web |title=The Sheldon Review: Manchester United Allegations and Cooperation (November 20, 2019) |url=https://www.tuckerssolicitors.com/the-sheldon-review-manchester-united-allegations-and-cooperation/ |website=Tuckers Solicitors |date=20 November 2019 |access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref>
==Response and investigations==
===Football bodies===
====Football Association====
On 21 November 2016, the [[Football Association]] said it was setting up a helpline;<ref name="Taylor-21Nov2016" /> this was established with the [[National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children|NSPCC]] and opened on 24 November,<ref name="PA-24Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Press Association|title=NSPCC launches hotline for sexually abused footballers|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/24/nspcc-launches-hotline-for-sexually-abused-footballers|access-date=25 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=24 November 2016}}</ref> reportedly receiving over 50 calls within the first two hours,<ref name="Cacciottolo-25Nov2016" /> over 100 by 27 November,<ref name="BBCSexAbuse-27Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Sex abuse: Football Association to investigate allegations|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38121724|access-date=27 November 2016|work=BBC|publisher=BBC|date=27 November 2016}}</ref> and 860 ("more than three times as many referrals as in the first three days of the [[Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal|Jimmy Savile scandal]]") by 1 December<ref name="Hotline-1Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Football abuse hotline receives 'staggering surge' in calls|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38161301|access-date=1 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=1 December 2016}}</ref> with 350 individuals alleging abuse.<ref name="Dodd-350-1Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Dodd|first1=Vikram|title=Police say 350 people have come forward to report child sex abuse in football|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/01/fa-punish-clubs-cover-up-martin-glenn|access-date=1 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=1 December 2016}}</ref> After three weeks, the call total had reached 1700.<ref name="NSPCC-15Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Rawlinson|first1=Kevin|title=NSPCC football abuse hotline receives over 1,700 calls in 3 weeks|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/15/nspcc-football-abuse-hotline-receives-over-1700-calls-in-3-weeks|access-date=15 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=15 December 2016}}</ref> The FA and NSPCC also collaborated to produce a film about how to keep children safe in the sport, featuring the captains of England's men's, women's and cerebral palsy football teams ([[Wayne Rooney]], [[Steph Houghton]] and Jack Rutter).<ref name="BBCfilm-03Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Football sex abuse: England captains make child safety film|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38185414|access-date=3 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=3 December 2016}}</ref>
After the Hamilton Smith interview suggesting the FA failed to thoroughly investigate Crewe's system, on 27 November, the FA announced it was to set up an internal review, led by independent counsel Kate Gallafent QC, into what Crewe and Manchester City knew about Barry Bennell and allegations of child sexual abuse in football, and investigate what information it was aware of at the time of the alleged offences.<ref name="Guardian-27Nov2016">{{cite news|title=FA sets up review into child sex abuse in football after Barry Bennell claims|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/27/fa-review-child-sex-abuse-football-barry-bennell-claims|access-date=27 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=27 November 2016}}</ref>
The FA was criticised by Conservative MP [[Damian Collins]], chair of the House of Commons' [[Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee|Culture, Media and Sport Committee]], for being too slow in reacting and not instigating a wider review.<ref name="BBC-28Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Football Association child sex abuse review 'not enough'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38128570|access-date=28 November 2016|work=BBC|date=28 November 2016}}</ref> Former sport minister [[Gerry Sutcliffe]] talked of previous concern about how the FA dealt with governance of the sport and with youth development (in the 1990s, the FA was said to have reacted "dismissively" to worries about sexual abuse in the game, and too slow to implement criminal record checks;<ref name="Reed-08Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Reed|first1=Jim|last2=Ray|first2=Louis Lee|title=Football abuse: FA reacted 'dismissively' to protection calls|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38242317|access-date=8 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=8 December 2016}}</ref> in 2003, the FA had scrapped a project meant to ensure children were being protected from sexual abuse;<ref name="Reed-30Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Reed|first1=Jim|title=FA 'pulled all funding' from child protection project|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38145061|access-date=3 December 2016|work=BBC|date=30 November 2016}}</ref> and FA officials had been uncooperative with the review project, with ten of 14 FA staff not replying to interview requests and a report by the researchers of others being "prevented/bullied" from talking).<ref name="Taylor-1Apr2017" /> Sutcliffe said an independent body, such as the [[Department for Culture, Media and Sport]], should look at the issue rather than the FA investigating itself: "What I've seen in football over the years is that they're very narrow, very insular, and may not do a proper job even though with the right intentions."<ref name="BBC-Soton-03Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Southampton 'abuser' still working in football|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38191644|access-date=3 December 2016|work=BBC News|agency=BBC|date=3 December 2016}}</ref>
On 6 December 2016, the FA announced that, due to "the increased scope of the review since it was announced"<ref name="FA-TOR-06Dec2016">{{cite web|title=Terms of reference for review into alleged non-recent child sexual abuse in football|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2016/dec/05/fa-statement-terms-of-reference-061216#U2v6Wmb00hyAKYda.99|website=Football Association|publisher=FA|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref> and Gallafent's other professional commitments, the review would be conducted by Clive Sheldon QC.<ref name="BBC-06Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Harry Redknapp criticises FA over coach claims|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38218377|access-date=6 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=6 December 2016}}</ref> On the same day, it was announced that former Chelsea assistant manager Dario Gradi would be among the first to be targeted by the FA's enquiry over the "smoothing over" allegation,<ref name="FAGradi-06Dec2016"/> and five days later the FA announced Gradi had been suspended.<ref name="FAGradi-11Dec2016" /><ref name="BBC-FA-Gradi-11Dec2016" /><ref name="Rawlinson-12Dec2016" /> Almost three months later, in February 2017, it was reported that Gradi planned to appeal against his FA suspension from football, feeling he had been left "in limbo".<ref name="Conway-27Feb2017">{{cite news|last1=Conway|first1=Richard|title=Dario Gradi: Crewe director of football to appeal against FA suspension|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39103246|access-date=27 February 2017|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=27 February 2017}}</ref>
On 5 January 2017, it was reported that the FA had suspended former Crewe youth coach Paul McCann<ref name="McCannsuspension-5Jan2017"/> (later cleared).<ref name="Taylor-18Oct2018"/>
The FA collaborated with other UK sports bodies to support the NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), founded in 2001 following various 1990s revelations of abuse, most notably in swimming. Brunel University's Daniel Rhind said the FA is today seen as a leading sports governing body for child protection with the system put in place since the CPSU was formed regarded as a "gold standard" model other countries can follow.<ref name="Conn re Brackenridge-29Dec2016" /> In December 2016, the FA said that 99% of its 7,814 grassroots clubs, covering 62,238 teams, had responded to a deadline to renew their safeguarding policies and commitment.<ref name="Conn re Brackenridge-29Dec2016" /> On 6 January 2017, the FA said 99.7% of clubs' coaches had valid criminal records checks but more than 2,500 coaches were without an in-date CRC, and so these clubs were facing potential suspension and removal of their FA affiliation.<ref name="Dennis-6Jan2017">{{cite news|last1=Dennis|first1=Ian|title=Football sex abuse: Junior clubs must get coaches cleared or face suspension|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38537776|access-date=19 January 2017|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=6 January 2017}}</ref>
On 11 January 2017, it was reported that the FA's review, led by Clive Sheldon, had made its first call for evidence, writing to all football clubs in England and Wales, amateur and professional, asking for information about allegations of child sexual abuse between 1970 and 2005. Clubs had until 15 March 2017 to respond.<ref name="PA-11Jan2017">{{cite news|title=Review into child abuse in football makes first call for evidence|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jan/11/review-into-allegations-child-abuse-in-football-first-call-for-evidence|access-date=12 January 2017|work=The Guardian|date=11 January 2017}}</ref> The FA's inquiry was expected to last around a year to 18 months.<ref name="Taylor-13Apr2017" /> In May 2017, eight (unnamed) professional clubs were reported to have failed to respond to the FA's call for evidence, despite a deadline extension to the end of April,<ref name="Taylor-15May2017">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Football abuse scandal: eight clubs could face sanctions after missing deadlines|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/15/football-abuse-scandal-eight-clubs|access-date=16 May 2017|work=The Guardian|date=15 May 2017}}</ref><ref name="BBC-16May2017">{{cite news|title=Child sex abuse: Eight football clubs fail to respond to inquiry|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39936217|access-date=16 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=16 May 2017}}</ref> as investigators started to search 5,000 boxes of FA archives – each containing up to 1,000 pages.<ref name="Roan-15May2017">{{cite news|last1=Roan|first1=Dan|title=Child sex abuse: Inquiry team to search through 5,000 boxes of FA archives|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39928510|access-date=16 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2017}}</ref> Sheldon issued a fresh appeal for victims of sexual abuse in football to come forward in July 2017.<ref name="Taylor-23Jul2017">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=QC makes fresh appeal for victims of sexual abuse in football to come forward|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/23/sexual-abuse-football-investigation-clive-sheldon-appeal-for-victims|access-date=24 July 2017|work=The Guardian|date=23 July 2017}}</ref> In October 2017, it was reported that six county Football Associations had not responded to requests for information five months after being asked to do so, while the volume of material involved would delay the final report until after Easter 2018.<ref name="Rumsby-16Oct2017">{{cite news|last1=Rumsby|first1=Ben|title=Six County FAs fail to respond to questions on football sex abuse|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/16/six-county-fas-fail-respond-questions-football-sex-abuse/|access-date=20 October 2017|work=Telegraph|date=16 October 2017}}</ref> Ongoing criminal proceedings against Bennell, Higgins and others were also likely to limit what could be covered in the report.<ref name="Rumsby-16Oct2017" /> Sheldon and other members of the enquiry team were reported to be receiving counselling after hearing some victims' abuse accounts.<ref name="Kelner-16Oct2017">{{cite news|last1=Kelner|first1=Martha|title=FA inquiry leader receives counselling after hearing victims' accounts of abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/16/fa-abuse-inquiry-head-clive-sheldon-counselling?CMP=share_btn_tw|access-date=20 October 2017|work=Guardian|date=16 October 2017}}</ref> In March 2018, it was reported that the scale of evidence provided, plus the "chaotic nature of the archiving", had delayed the inquiry team's sift through the FA's legal files; around 500,000 pages of material from 6,000 files were uploaded to a digital platform, and 353 documents were identified as highly relevant. All 46 county FAs had responded to the inquiry. Sheldon expected to start writing his final report in August 2018.<ref name="Steinberg-28Mar2018">{{cite news |last1=Steinberg |first1=Jacob |title=FA sexual abuse inquiry head ready to investigate any clubs who fail to cooperate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/28/fa-child-sexual-abuse-inquiry-investigate-clubs-clive-sheldon-qc |access-date=18 July 2018 |work=Guardian |date=28 March 2018}}</ref>
In October 2017, FA chairman [[Greg Clarke]] was criticised by Andy Woodward for 'humiliating' remarks Clarke made to a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee hearing,<ref name="Rumsby-25Oct2017">{{cite news|last1=Rumbsy|first1=Ben|title=Greg Clarke under fire again as abuse survivor Andy Woodward accuses FA chairman of 'humiliating' him|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/25/greg-clarke-fire-abuse-survivor-andy-woodward-accuses-fa-chairman/|access-date=30 October 2017|work=Telegraph|date=25 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="BBC-26Oct2017">{{cite news|title=Woodward 'devastated & deeply upset'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41768651|access-date=30 October 2017|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=26 October 2017}}</ref> while the [[Professional Footballers' Association]]'s chief executive [[Gordon Taylor (footballer)|Gordon Taylor]] said the PFA might sue Clarke over suggestions Taylor had not supported Woodward with further counselling.<ref name="Kelner-26Oct2017">{{cite news|last1=Kelner|first1=Martha|title=PFA's Gordon Taylor considering legal action against FA chairman Greg Clarke|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/26/fa-chairman-greg-clarke-admits-organisation-has-lost-trust-of-the-public|access-date=30 October 2017|work=Guardian|date=26 October 2017}}</ref>
In July 2018, it was reported that the FA's independent inquiry had found no evidence of an institutional cover-up or of a paedophile ring operating within football. Sheldon's report, likely to be highly critical of several clubs, was initially expected to be delivered to the FA in September 2018,<ref name="Taylor-26Jul2018">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title= FA sexual abuse inquiry finds no evidence of institutional cover-up |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/26/fa-sexual-abuse-inquiry-clive-sheldon |access-date=30 July 2018 |work=Guardian |date=26 July 2018}}</ref> but its publication was delayed, potentially by up to a year, pending the retrial of Bob Higgins and possible further charges against Barry Bennell.<ref name="Taylor-26Sep2018">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Football sexual abuse scandal review may be delayed for more than a year |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/26/football-sexual-abuse-scandal-review-may-be-delayed-over-a-year |access-date=26 September 2018 |work=Guardian |date=26 September 2018}}</ref>
The 700-page report was published on 17 March 2021,<ref name="Sky-17Mar2021">{{cite news |title=Football's sex abuse scandal: Review to be published into game's 'darkest secret' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/footballs-sex-abuse-scandal-review-to-be-published-into-games-darkest-secret-12248371 |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=Sky News |date=17 March 2021}}</ref> suggesting there had been at least 240 suspects and 692 survivors.<ref name="BBC-17Mar2021">{{cite news |title=Football's child sex abuse scandal: Sheldon review finds 'institutional failings' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56418652 |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 March 2021}}</ref> It identified failures to act adequately on complaints or rumours of sexual abuse at eight professional clubs: Aston Villa, Chelsea, Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Peterborough, Southampton and Stoke City. While awareness of child abuse had previously been low, Sheldon said the FA was culpable of "institutional failure" in delaying the introduction of safeguards after 1995. Crewe Alexandra "should have done more to check on the well-being of the boys", Sheldon said, and similarly criticised Manchester City and Stoke City (other clubs associated with Bennell). Chelsea failed to protect a young player who reported abuse by Heath in 1975; Aston Villa should have reported sexual abuse by Langford to the police [[1989-90 AVFC season|in July 1989]]; Newcastle United delayed acting on reports of abuse by Ormond; and Peterborough and Southampton failed to take steps to monitor Higgins. The report said clubs, including Blackpool, had also failed to undertake criminal background checks on adults working with young children.<ref name="Conn-17Mar2021">{{cite news |last1=Conn |first1=David |title=Football sexual abuse report: ignorance and naivety cleared way for scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/17/football-sexual-abuse-report-scandal-sheldon-fa |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=Guardian |date=17 March 2021}}</ref>
The Sheldon report also made 13 recommendations for further improvements, including clubs employing qualified safeguarding officers, an FA board member to be the designated "children’s safeguarding champion", spot checks of amateur clubs, a "national day of safeguarding in football" and an annual safeguarding report. However, the measures were criticised for being too late and lacking ambition. The FA issued a "heartfelt apology" to survivors and said it would be implementing all of Sheldon’s recommendations.<ref name="Conn-17Mar2021"/>
====Scottish Football Association====
After the Hugh Stevenson allegations emerged, [[Scottish Football Association]] chief executive [[Stewart Regan]] apologised "deeply" to Peter Haynes.<ref name="Daly-05Dec2016" /> Former SFA chief executive [[Gordon Smith (footballer, born December 1954)|Gordon Smith]],<ref name="exSFA-08Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Scottish Football Association 'should hold abuse inquiry'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38248118|access-date=9 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=8 December 2016}}</ref> civil rights lawyer Raju Bhatt<ref name="98total-09Dec2016" /> and [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|Deputy First Minister]] [[John Swinney]]<ref name="BBCSwinney-11Dec2016">{{cite news|title=John Swinney urges SFA inquiry into football abuse claims|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-38281185|access-date=11 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=11 December 2016}}</ref> all called for an independent inquiry after [[First Minister of Scotland|Scottish First Minister]] [[Nicola Sturgeon]] rejected calls for an existing inquiry to be widened.<ref name="1stMin-08Dec2016">{{cite news|title=First minister rejects call to widen abuse inquiry|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-38252157|access-date=9 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=8 December 2016}}</ref> On 13 December 2016, the SFA said it would set up an "independent review" of child abuse allegations in football;<ref name="BBC-SFAinquiry-13Dec2016">{{cite news|title=SFA to establish football abuse review|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38308254|access-date=13 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=13 December 2016}}</ref> on the same date, of 15,385 coaches registered with the Scottish Youth Football Association, 2,500 had not had Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) clearance,<ref name="Daly-13Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Daly|first1=Mark|title=No checks on 2,500 youth football coaches|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-38308253|access-date=13 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC}}</ref> though this backlog was largely cleared ahead of a 31 August 2017 deadline.<ref name="ETimes-27Aug2017" /> In February 2017, it was reported that the SFA's enquiry would be headed by Martin Henry, formerly a police protection chief and national manager of child sexual abuse prevention charity Stop it Now! Scotland.<ref name="PP-3Feb2017">{{cite news|title=Ex-force executive officer to kick-start football's abuse investigation|url=http://www.policeprofessional.com/news.aspx?id=28380|access-date=17 March 2017|work=PoliceProfessional.com|date=3 February 2017}}</ref>
The 192-page final report of the SFA enquiry was published in February 2021. Among 97 recommendations, it said clubs and organisations involved should "make a clear, unreserved, and public acknowledgment and apology" to all those directly affected. Clubs included Celtic Boys Club, Celtic, Falkirk, [[Forres Mechanics F.C.|Forres Mechanics]], [[Hamilton Academical F.C.|Hamilton]], Hibernian, Hutchison Vale, Motherwell, Rangers and Partick Thistle. SFA chief executive [[Ian Maxwell (footballer)|Ian Maxwell]] issued a "sincerest apology on behalf of Scottish football to all who have experienced abuse in our national game".<ref name="Murray-11Feb2021">{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Ewan |title=Scottish football sexual abuse review calls on clubs to apologise |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/11/scottish-football-sexual-abuse-review-calls-on-clubs-to-apologise |access-date=14 February 2021 |work=Guardian |date=11 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="McLaughlin-11Feb2021">{{cite news |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Chris |title=Scottish football clubs urged to apologise for historical child sex abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56019232 |access-date=14 February 2021 |work=BBC News |date=11 February 2021}}</ref>
====Other bodies====
Eight days after Woodward's initial revelations, the PFA said on 24 November 2016 that the number of players who had contacted it with similar stories had reached double figures,<ref name="PA-24Nov2016" /> later (27 November) revising this to "more than 20"<ref name="BBC-27Nov2016" /> and adding [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] and Leeds United to the list of clubs implicated.<ref name="PFA-27Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Leeds and Blackpool named by Gordon Taylor in child sex abuse in football scandal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/27/leeds-blackpool-gordon-taylor-child-sex-abuse-scandal|access-date=27 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=27 November 2016}}</ref> In January 2017, it was reported that Steve Walters had been on a course of counselling at the [[Priory Group|Priory]] provided by the PFA.<ref name="Wallace-5Jan2017">{{cite news|last1=Wallace|first1=Sam|title=Silence from current players over child sex abuse claims has been deafening, says Steve Walters who hopes they can follow lead of Wolves captain Dave Edwards|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/01/04/silence-current-players-child-sex-abuse-claims-has-deafening/|access-date=5 January 2017|work=Telegraph|date=4 January 2017}}</ref>
On 7 December 2016, [[Premier League]] boss [[Richard Scudamore]] wrote to the parents of more than 3,000 players in the league's youth system to reassure them regarding child protection.<ref name="98total-09Dec2016" /> On 23 December 2016, it was reported that Chelsea had not broken Premier League rules in failing to report 2014 allegations of historical sexual abuse made by Gary Johnson, but would undergo a safeguarding audit.<ref name="PLrules-22Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Goodwin|first1=Stuart|title=Chelsea cleared of breaking rules in handling of Gary Johnson abuse case|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/22/chelsea-cleared-breaking-rules-gary-johnson-abuse|access-date=23 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=22 December 2016}}</ref>
In Manchester on 5 December 2016, abuse victims Andy Woodward, Steve Walters, Chris Unsworth, Matthew Monaghan and Mark Williams launched a support organisation, the Offside Trust, to support player victims of abuse and their families<ref name="BBC-Soton-03Dec2016" /><ref name="BBC-Offside-05Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Sex abuse footballers 'want to be free of pain'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38211017|access-date=5 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=5 December 2016}}</ref> (though it is unclear if this body is to become a registered charity).<ref name="Herbert-2Mar2017">{{cite news|last1=Herbert|first1=Ian|title=Football is not rife with child abusers, so it is time for the Offside Trust to explain what they are for|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/premier-league-football-abuse-offside-trust-explain-andy-woodward-a7606486.html|access-date=2 March 2017|work=The Independent|date=1 March 2017}}</ref> At the launch, the Trust's lawyer Ed Smethurst talked of alleged abusers still working "in the senior echelons" of football, of "grave misgivings about the FA's independent inquiry", and of new claims that clubs had paid 'hush money'.<ref name="Taylor-05Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Prominent football figures still in game named by players alleging sexual abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/05/football-sexual-abuse|access-date=6 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=5 December 2016}}</ref> On 3 February 2017, it was announced that Woodward was stepping away from the Trust, having resigned as a director.<ref name="Eurosport-3Feb2017">{{cite news|title=Andy Woodward leaves Offside Trust but campaign gains momentum|url=http://asia.eurosport.com/football/andy-woodward-leaves-offside-trust-but-campaign-gains-momentum_sto6046917/story.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204015634/http://asia.eurosport.com/football/andy-woodward-leaves-offside-trust-but-campaign-gains-momentum_sto6046917/story.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2017|access-date=3 February 2017|work=Eurosport|date=3 February 2017}}</ref> On 20 August 2017, a celebrity football match was played at [[Curzon Ashton F.C.]] in Manchester to raise funds for the Trust.<ref name="OffsideTrust match">{{cite web|title=Celebrity Match|url=http://www.theoffsidetrust.com/celebrity-match|website=Offside Trust|access-date=30 October 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107003811/http://www.theoffsidetrust.com/celebrity-match|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Football clubs===
Dario Gradi's 24 November statement mentioned Crewe Alexandra had established an internal review,<ref name="Gradi-24Nov2016" /> and the club subsequently announced it would be holding an independent review into how they dealt with historical child sex abuse allegations: "an independent review, to be conducted via the appointment of external legal counsel, is the correct way forward".<ref name="BBC-27Nov2016" /><ref name="Townsend-26Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Townsend|first1=Mark|title=Crewe to launch independent review into handling of child abuse allegations|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/26/crewe-independent-review-handling-child-abuse-allegations|access-date=27 November 2016|work=The Observer|date=26 November 2016}}</ref> In February 2018, the club had not started this review, claiming an unnamed authority told them to hold off until the criminal case was over.<ref name="Taylor-15Feb2018"/> On 2 March 2018, the club issued a statement saying that, as it had fully supported and co-operated with the police's detailed and comprehensive investigations, it did "not intend to commission a further independent investigation to duplicate the thorough enquiries that have already been undertaken," and said the police's report had also been supplied to the FA's Sheldon review.<ref name="CAFC statement-02Mar2018">{{cite web|title=Club Statement: Barry Bennell (2)|url=https://www.crewealex.net/news/2018/march/club-statement-barry-bennell-2/|website=CreweAlex.net|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref> Crewe's decision to shelve its own investigation was criticised by local MP [[Laura Smith (British politician)|Laura Smith]] (daughter of former club director Hamilton Smith) who said victims deserved nothing less than a thorough investigation which "should be transparent and leave no stone unturned."<ref name="Ryan-09Mar2018">{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Belinda|title=MP urges Crewe Alex to hold independent investigation into historic handling of child sex predator Barry Bennell|url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/mp-urges-crewe-alex-hold-14387725|access-date=9 March 2018|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=9 March 2018}}</ref> The club was also excluded from the NorthWest Football Awards, was criticised by Damian Collins, chair of the DCMS select committee,<ref name="Drucker-14Mar2018">{{cite news|last1=Drucker|first1=James|title=Crewe's refusal to conduct internal Barry Bennell inquiry is 'totally unacceptable', says Damian Collins|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/03/14/crewes-refusal-conduct-internal-barry-bennell-inquiry-totally/|access-date=21 March 2018|work=Telegraph|date=14 March 2018}}</ref> and by [[Crewe Town Council]],<ref name="Ryan-13Mar2018">{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Belinda|title=Crewe Alex refusal to hold inquiry 'demonstrates a disregard for Bennell's victims' town council leader says|url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/crewe-alex-refusal-hold-inquiry-14407864|access-date=14 March 2018|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=13 March 2018}}</ref> and was called to reconsider its decision by the PFA's Gordon Taylor.<ref name="Taylor-10Mar2018">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Crewe excluded from regional awards for handling of Barry Bennell scandal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/10/crewe-barry-bennell-excluded-northwest-football-awards|access-date=11 March 2018|work=Observer|date=10 March 2018}}</ref> In his March 2021 report, Sheldon said he "liaised with the Club and its lawyers with a view to suggesting other lines of enquiry that could usefully be followed up by the Club. Ultimately, the Club agreed to conduct those further enquiries, and provided me with a report setting out its conclusions."<ref name="Sheldon Report">{{cite book |last1=Sheldon |first1=Clive |title=Independent Review into Child Sexual Abuse in Football 1970-2005 |date=2021 |publisher=Football Association |location=London |url=https://the-fa.com/7ZFDqu |access-date=23 March 2021}}</ref> Crewe chairman [[John Bowler (businessman)|John Bowler]] resigned following the report's publication.<ref name="Ostlere-25Mar2021">{{cite news |last1=Ostlere |first1=Lawrence |title=Crewe chairman John Bowler stands down in wake of Sheldon Review into sexual abuse scandal |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/crewe-alexandra-john-bowler-sexual-abuse-scandal-b1822198.html |access-date=25 March 2021 |work=Independent |date=25 March 2021}}</ref> Under new chairman Charles Grant, the club then publicly apologised to abuse victims, and a number of victims ("in 'double figures'") subsequently met with directors and staff.<ref name="Afterword">{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Charlie |title=Afterword |url=https://charliemorris.org.uk/afterword/ |website=Charlie Morris: Generation Game |publisher=Charlie Morris |access-date=18 December 2021 |archive-date=18 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218145440/https://charliemorris.org.uk/afterword/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Awarded an MBE in 1998,<ref name=LMA>[http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/dario-gradi-mbe/ Dario Gradi MBE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417123541/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/dario-gradi-mbe/|date=17 April 2015}}, League Managers Association. Retrieved: 17 April 2015.</ref> Gradi was stripped of the award in August 2023 following a professional disbarment<ref name = "UK Government">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/individuals-whose-honours-have-been-revoked-by-the-sovereign/list-of-individuals-who-have-forfeited-their-honour-august-2023|title=List of individuals who have forfeited their honour - August 2023|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|date=22 August 2023|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> for failing to protect children from sexual abuse.<ref name=Taylor-21Aug2023>{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Taylor (journalist) |date=21 August 2023 |title=Former Crewe Alexandra manager Dario Gradi stripped of MBE |url=https://theathletic.com/4792589/2023/08/21/dario-gradi-crewe-alexandra-mbe/ |access-date=21 August 2023 |work=[[The Athletic]]}}</ref><ref name="MacInnes-21Aug20232">{{cite news |last1=MacInnes |first1=Paul |date=21 August 2023 |title=Dario Gradi to lose MBE after failing to protect children from sexual abuse |work=Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/21/dario-gradi-to-lose-mbe-after-failing-to-protect-children-from-sexual-abuse |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref>
{{further|Sexual abuse cases at Crewe Alexandra F.C.}}
Manchester City said it had opened an investigation regarding Bennell's association with the club in the 1980s;<ref name="Cacciottolo-25Nov2016" /> in May 2017, it was reported this was being led by Jane Mulcahy QC.<ref name="Taylor-15May2017" /> In March 2019, a year after Bennell was convicted and jailed, and with the Mulcahy review still ongoing, Manchester City announced it had created a compensation fund for victims of historical child sexual abuse at the club. It was aware of 40 potential claimants (with more expected to come forward), and regarded the civil redress scheme as a preferable alternative to victims pursuing civil claims through the courts,<ref name="Roan-12Mar2019">{{cite news |last1=Roan |first1=Dan |title=Manchester City launch child sexual abuse victim payment scheme |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47532719 |access-date=12 March 2019 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=12 March 2019}}</ref> as victims were doing in relation to Crewe.<ref name="CreweCron-13Mar2019"/>
Stoke said they were ready to launch an investigation into any allegation raised.<ref name="Herbert-25Nov2016" /> On 25 November, [[Northumbria Police]] said their inquiries were "ongoing", while Newcastle United said it would cooperate with the police and relevant authorities.<ref name="Rumsby-25Nov2016" /> On 29 November, [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] announced it had appointed a law firm to carry out an investigation connected to allegations of historical sexual abuse in the 1970s;<ref name="Guardian-chelsea30Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Chelsea open investigation into historical sex abuse allegations|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/29/chelsea-investigation|access-date=30 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=29 November 2016}}</ref> Chelsea's review was chaired by Charles Geekie QC, a specialist in child abuse cases,<ref name="Taylor-15May2017" /> and its report into Eddie Heath's conduct was concluded in August 2019.<ref name="Roan-06Aug2019"/>
The FA's enquiry also linked to club enquiries. In May 2017, FA letters were sent to almost 20 clubs linked to the scandal to establish if they are holding their own reviews and, if not, why not. Clubs including Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Southampton, Aston Villa, Blackpool and Crewe Alexandra were asked to submit evidence to Sheldon's own review.<ref name="Taylor-15May2017" /> In March 2018, Clive Sheldon warned up to a dozen clubs they must hold their own investigations into abuse claims or he will do it, putting pressure on Crewe to reconsider its decision not to hold an inquiry.<ref name="Eurosport-28Mar2018">{{cite news|title=Clive Sheldon tells clubs he will investigate abuse claims if they fail to do so|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/clive-sheldon-tells-clubs-he-will-investigate-abuse-claims-if-they-fail-to-do-so_sto6693614/story.shtml|access-date=29 March 2018|work=Eurosport News|agency=PA|date=28 March 2018}}</ref>
====Action against Celtic FC====
Following the convictions of Jim McCafferty, Jim Torbett, Gerald King and Frank Cairney, Celtic FC were contacted by local [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSP]]s [[Adam Tomkins]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Celtic under fire over response to sex abuse scandal|url=https://stv.tv/news/west-central/1438164-celtic-s-response-to-sexual-abuse-scandal-condemned-by-msps/|work=STV News|date=31 May 2019|access-date=2 June 2019 }}</ref> and [[James Dornan]]<ref name="BBC-30May2019">{{cite news |title=MSPs criticise Celtic over child sex abuse scandal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-48463869 |access-date=31 May 2019 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=30 May 2019}}</ref> (the latter a Celtic supporter whose son had once played for their youth teams and for Celtic Boys Club, giving him some insight into the close relationship between the organisations)<ref name=dornan/> due to what they perceived as an inadequate response and victim apology  from the club,<ref>{{cite web|title=Celtic sex abuse regret 'too little, too late'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-48403722|work=BBC News|date=24 May 2019|access-date=2 June 2019 }}</ref> and then published their letters via [[Twitter]] when no reply was forthcoming.<ref name=dornan>{{cite web|title=Celtic chief Peter Lawwell slammed by MSP James Dornan over Boys Club victims|url=https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17674834.celtic-chief-peter-lawwell-slammed-by-msp-james-dornan-over-boys-club-victims/|work=Evening Times|date=30 May 2019|access-date=2 June 2019 }}</ref> The eventual reply from [[Peter Lawwell]], Celtic's [[CEO]], refuting "unfair misconceptions" and claiming to have been conducting their own investigation for some time, was also published.<ref>{{cite web|title=Celtic confirm sex abuse probe and deny 'doing nothing'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-48483874|work=BBC News|date=1 June 2019|access-date=2 June 2019 }}</ref> Tomkins subsequently criticised Celtic for obscuring the relationship between the football club and Celtic Boys Club, and for conducting a secret internal inquiry which could not "help and support victims, which much surely be the paramount consideration."<ref name="Wilson-07Jun2019">{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Caroline |title=Glasgow politician to meet with Scottish football bosses over Celtic Boys' Club abuse |url=https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17691720.glasgow-politician-to-meet-with-scottish-football-bosses-over-celtic-boys-club-abuse/ |access-date=8 June 2019 |work=Glasgow Evening Times |date=7 June 2019}}</ref>
In October 2020, the ''Guardian'' reported that 21 sexual abuse survivors were bringing a civil case against Celtic in 2021;<ref name="McDonald-20Oct2020">{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Henry |title='I have been quiet for 50 years': standing up against sexual abuse at Celtic Boys Club |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/oct/20/child-sexual-abuse-at-celtic-boys-club-jim-torbett |access-date=11 December 2020 |work=Guardian |date=20 October 2020}}</ref> in October 2021, 25 men claiming to be victims of historical sexual abuse at Celtic Boys Club launched group proceedings against Celtic.<ref name="Murray-05Oct2021">{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Ewan |title=Alleged victims of sexual abuse launch group proceedings against Celtic FC |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/05/alleged-victims-of-sexual-abuse-launch-group-proceedings-against-celtic-fc |access-date=7 October 2021 |work=Guardian |date=5 October 2021}}</ref> Following publication of the SFA's report in February 2021, Celtic issued a fresh apology over historic sexual abuse at their feeder team.<ref name="Haugh-12Feb2021">{{cite news |last1=Haugh |first1=Jack |title=Celtic issue fresh apology for historic sexual abuse in Scottish football and at Boys Club |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19086185.celtic-issue-fresh-apology-historic-sexual-abuse-scottish-football/ |access-date=14 February 2021 |work=Glasgow Evening Times |date=12 February 2021}}</ref> In March 2022, a judge gave the go-ahead for 22 former Celtic Boys Club players and abuse survivors to launch a US-style '[[class action]]' group claim against Celtic FC after agreeing the two clubs were "intimately connected".<ref name="BBC-01Mar2022">{{cite news |title=Boys club abuse survivors can launch action against Celtic FC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-60570893 |access-date=1 March 2022 |work=BBC News |date=1 March 2022}}</ref> A hearing was expected to start in December 2022, but was postponed to allow lawyers more time to study new documents.<ref name="SLN-21Dec2022">{{cite news |title=Class action case against Celtic FC over alleged abuse of boys delayed until next year |url=https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/class-action-case-against-celtic-fc-over-alleged-abuse-of-boys-delayed-until-next-year |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=Scottish Legal News |date=21 December 2022}}</ref> Ahead of a scheduled June 2023 hearing, Celtic lawyers reportedly tried to get the action discontinued arguing that too much time has passed to allow a fair trial.<ref name="Vesty-10Apr2023"/> In September 2023, ahead of a court hearing scheduled for October, Celtic FC began negotiations to settle legal claims of historical abuse brought by more than 20 former players.<ref name="BBC-19Sep2023">{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Mark |last2=McKay |first2=Calum |title=Celtic FC seeking to settle boys club sex abuse cases |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66853131 |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=BBC News |date=19 September 2023}}</ref>
===Police===
Initially, Cheshire police were reported to be liaising with [[Greater Manchester Police]] over the allegations,<ref name="Rumsby-25Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Rumsby|first1=Ben|title=Jason Dunford and Chris Unsworth break silence as English football's child sex abuse crisis deepens|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/11/25/man-city-launch-investigation-english-footballs-child-sex-abuse/|access-date=25 November 2016|work=Telegraph|date=25 November 2016}}</ref> with the Manchester force later confirming it was launching an investigation and co-operating with [[Operation Hydrant]], the national co-ordination hub for historical child abuse investigations concerning persons of public prominence.<ref name="Morris-28Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Steven|title=Greater Manchester police investigates claims of sex abuse in youth football|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/28/greater-manchester-police-investigates-historical-sex-abuse-youth-football|access-date=29 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=28 November 2016}}</ref> On 26 November [[Hampshire Constabulary|Hampshire Police]] said it was looking into claims of "non-recent child abuse within the football community", while the [[Metropolitan Police]] also opened investigations.<ref name="BBC-26Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Football sex abuse: Crewe 'knew of claims against Bennell'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38113288|access-date=26 November 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=26 November 2016}}</ref> By 1 December, [[Staffordshire Police]], [[Police Scotland]],<ref name="Mendick-30Nov2016" /> [[Essex Police]], [[Norfolk Constabulary|Norfolk Police]]<ref name="Fifield-30Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Fifield|first1=Dominic|title=Police 'opted against action' over Chelsea ex-player's sex abuse claim|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/30/police-opted-against-action-over-chelsea-ex-players-sex-abuse-claim|access-date=30 November 2016|work=Guardian|date=30 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="14Forces-BBC-30Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Fourteen police forces investigate football sex abuse claims|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38161301|access-date=30 November 2016|work=BBC|publisher=BBC|date=30 November 2016}}</ref> and [[North Wales Police]] were reported to be among 17 forces examining claims of historical sex abuse in football.<ref name="Dodd-350-1Dec2016" /> On 6 December 2016, the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]] became the 21st UK police force to confirm it was investigating claims.<ref name="BBC-QPR-06Dec2016" /> On 13 December 2016, the Metropolitan Police said it was investigating 106 allegations of historical sexual abuse at 32 London football clubs (including four in the Premier League, two in the Championship, three against clubs in Leagues One and Two and 21 other clubs including non-league or non-professional or amateur teams).<ref name="Met-13Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Grierson|first1=Jamie|last2=Brooks|first2=Libby|title=Met police receive 106 allegations of sexual abuse at football clubs|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/13/met-police-106-allegations-of-sexual-abuse-at-london-football-clubs|access-date=13 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=13 December 2016}}</ref> Some six weeks later (30 January 2017), the Met were reported to be investigating 255 separate allegations against individuals at 77 clubs, including all five London Premiership teams.<ref name="Brunt-30Jan2017">{{cite news|last1=Brunt|first1=Brunt|title=Football abuse: All top London clubs investigated|url=https://news.sky.com/story/football-abuse-all-top-london-clubs-investigated-police-10749291|access-date=30 January 2017|work=Sky News|date=30 January 2017}}</ref>
By 3 December 2016, 55 professional and non-league clubs had been cited by people claiming they were abused.<ref name="Townsend-03Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Townsend|first1=Mark|title=Football abuse scandal grows with 55 clubs now involved|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/03/football-abuse-scandal-grows-55-clubs-now-involved|access-date=4 December 2016|work=The Observer|date=3 December 2016}}</ref> On 9 December 2016, the [[National Police Chiefs' Council]] (NPCC) said 83 potential suspects and 98 clubs were involved in the inquiry into child abuse;<ref name="98total-09Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Football abuse claims extend to 98 clubs|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38260878|access-date=9 December 2016|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=9 December 2016}}</ref> on 21 December 2016, the NPCC's figures were updated to 155 suspects and 148 clubs, with detectives said to be examining possible attacks on 429 people.<ref name="NPCC-21Dec2016">{{cite web|title=National statistics on allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse in football: Updated 21/12/16|url=http://www.npcc.police.uk/NPCCBusinessAreas/OtherWorkAreas/OpHydrant/FootballAbuseStats.aspx|website=National Police Chiefs' Council|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212022118/http://www.npcc.police.uk/NPCCBusinessAreas/OtherWorkAreas/OpHydrant/FootballAbuseStats.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Dodd-21Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Dodd|first1=Vikram|title=Football sexual abuse victims may have been as young as four years old – police|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/21/football-sexual-abuse-young-victims|access-date=21 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=21 December 2016}}</ref> The "higher than usual" volume of calls was said to be delaying police interviews and investigations,<ref name="BBCWoodward-22Dec2016"/> with some respondents waiting more than a month; the first wave of victims waited an average of six weeks to be interviewed.<ref name="PA-11Jan2017"/> The increase in allegations of child sexual abuse linked to football led Cheshire Police to ask the [[Home Office]] for extra funding.<ref name="McCann-29Mar2017">{{cite news|last1=McCann|first1=Phil|title=Cheshire Police in funding request over football-related child sex probes|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-39424791|access-date=2 May 2017|work=BBC News Manchester|date=29 March 2017}}</ref>
On 18 January 2017, the NPCC said the number of affected clubs had grown to 248, up 100 since its December 2016 update. It said Operation Hydrant had received 1,016 referrals from the NSPCC and from police forces (up from 819), and had identified 184 suspects and 526 potential victims, of whom 97% are male, with ages ranging from four to 20 when the alleged abuse took place.<ref name="Topping-19January2017">{{cite news|last1=Topping|first1=Alexander|title=More than 240 clubs now involved in football sexual abuse scandal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jan/18/police-confirm-500-potential-victims-sex-abuse-football?CMP=share_btn_tw|access-date=19 January 2017|work=The Guardian|date=18 January 2017}}</ref> In April 2017, Operation Hydrant was reported to have received over 400 new referrals since January, bringing the total to 1,432 referrals, and was investigating complaints involving 311 clubs, 23% of them professional.<ref name="Taylor-13Apr2017">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Police investigating child abuse in football receive 400 new referrals|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/apr/12/police-investigation-child-abuse-in-football-400-new-referrals|access-date=13 April 2017|work=The Guardian|date=12 April 2017}}</ref> The NPCC said the number of victims at 31 March 2017 stood at 560 (96% of them male), with 252 suspects identified.<ref name="NPCC-18Apr2017">{{cite news|title=National statistics on allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse in football: Up to and including 31/03/17|url=http://www.npcc.police.uk/NPCCBusinessAreas/OtherWorkAreas/OpHydrant/FootballAbuseStats.aspx|access-date=18 April 2017|work=NPCC|date=18 April 2017|archive-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212022118/http://www.npcc.police.uk/NPCCBusinessAreas/OtherWorkAreas/OpHydrant/FootballAbuseStats.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Up to 30 June 2017, Police Scotland said over 150 people had reported being sexually abused as a child within a football club setting, 295 crimes had been recorded, and 11 people had been arrested.<ref name="STV-10Jul2017">{{cite news|title=Police arrest 11 as part of football sex abuse inquiry|url=https://stv.tv/news/scotland/1393218-police-arrest-11-as-part-of-football-sex-abuse-inquiry/|access-date=11 July 2017|work=STV|date=10 July 2017|archive-date=20 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020191011/https://stv.tv/news/scotland/1393218-police-arrest-11-as-part-of-football-sex-abuse-inquiry/|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to NPCC figures, a total of 741 alleged victims had come forward by 30 June 2017, with 276 suspects named, 1,886 incidents reported and 328 clubs at every level of football affected.<ref name="Taylor-23Jul2017" /> The figures were updated on 28 September 2017,<ref name="NPCC-28Sep2017">{{cite web|title=Operation Hydrant – football abuse statistics up to and including 28 September 2017|url=http://www.npcc.police.uk/NPCCBusinessAreas/OtherWorkAreas/OpHydrant/FootballAbuseStats.aspx|website=National Police Chiefs' Council|access-date=20 October 2017|ref=28 September 2017|archive-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212022118/http://www.npcc.police.uk/NPCCBusinessAreas/OtherWorkAreas/OpHydrant/FootballAbuseStats.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 31 December 2017, recording 839 alleged victims, 294 alleged suspects, arising from 2094 referrals, impacting 334 clubs.<ref name="BBC-After-15Feb2018">{{cite news|title=After Barry Bennell convictions, where now for football's sexual abuse scandal?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42993689|access-date=16 February 2018|work=BBC|publisher=BBC|date=15 February 2018}}</ref> In July 2018, police figures were reported to have identified 300 suspects, 849 alleged victims, and 2,807 incidents involving 340 different clubs.<ref name="Taylor-20Jul2018"/>
As well as football, 27 referrals of victims were made from other sports including basketball, rugby, gymnastics, martial arts, tennis, wrestling, golf, sailing, athletics, cricket, and swimming.<ref name="Topping-19January2017" /><ref name="NPCC-28Sep2017" />
In April 2017, it was reported that Operation Hydrant had received reports of incidents within football after 2005 (the FA inquiry's cut-off date), with 46 alleged attacks said to have occurred from 2005 to 2016, including 23 since 2011.<ref name="Taylor-1Apr2017">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Police receive reports that child abuse is still happening in football|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/apr/01/police-reports-child-abuse-football-operation-hydrant|access-date=2 April 2017|work=The Observer|date=1 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="Taylor-13Apr2017" />
Police have speculated that the football revelations since 2016 "may" have contributed to an increase in the number of men and boys coming forward to make allegations of rape.<ref name="Tobin-7Oct2018">{{cite news |last1=Tobin |first1=Olivia |title=Number of men and boys reporting rape in London leaped in the same year as football abuse scandal |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/number-of-men-and-boys-reporting-rape-in-london-soared-in-the-same-year-as-football-abuse-scandal-a3954656.html |access-date=10 October 2018 |work=Evening Standard |date=7 October 2018}}</ref>
===Government===
On 16 November 2017, almost exactly a year after the scandal first emerged, the [[Minister for Sport and Civil Society|sports minister]] [[Tracey Crouch]] announced that the [[Ministry of Justice]] had agreed changes to the law to make it illegal for sport coaches to have sex with 16- and 17-year-old children in their care, bringing the sport industry into line with sectors such as education and social care.<ref name="Kelner-16Nov2017">{{cite news|last1=Kelner|first1=Martha|title=Law to change to make sex between coaches and 16- and 17-year-olds illegal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/nov/16/law-change-coaches-relationships-16-17-year-olds-illegal|access-date=17 November 2017|work=Guardian|date=16 November 2017}}</ref> However, this restriction had still not been enacted in January 2020.<ref name="Halliday-28Jan2020">{{cite news |last1=Halliday |first1=Josh |title=Call to close teenage sex 'loophole' for faith leaders and coaches |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jan/28/call-to-close-teenage-sex-loophole-for-faith-leaders-and-coaches |access-date=30 January 2020 |work=Guardian |date=28 January 2020}}</ref> In July 2020, after a BBC investigation found over 160 cases of sports coaches engaging in sexual activity with a 16- or 17-year-old in their care since 2016, a lengthy judicial review continued, and the [[Sexual Offences Act 2003|Sexual Offences Act]] remained unchanged.<ref name="Scott-10Jul2020">{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Laura |title=More than 160 cases of coaches engaging in legal sexual activity with teens, FOI request shows |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/53357381 |access-date=13 July 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 July 2020}}</ref>
===Media===
In addition to its news coverage of the scandal, the BBC produced a three-part television documentary, ''[[Football's Darkest Secret]]'', first broadcast in March 2021,<ref name="Varley-22Mar2021"/> and ''[[Floodlights (film)|Floodlights]]'', a film about Andy Woodward first broadcast on BBC Two on 17 May 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clinton |first1=Jane |title=Floodlights cast: Who stars in the Barry Bennell drama, what time it's on BBC2 and the true story it explores |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/floodlights-cast-barry-bennell-drama-bbc2-when-time-true-story-1635549 |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=[[I (newspaper)|i]] |date=17 May 2022}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Penn State child sex abuse scandal]], similar case in the U.S. where assistant American football coach [[Jerry Sandusky]] was convicted of molesting boys
* [[Child abuse in football]]
{{Portal bar|Association football|Law|United Kingdom}}
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==Further reading==
*Jim Reed & Louis Lee Ray, (15 February 2018), "[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/my_football_dreams_were_shattered_by_barry_bennell My football dreams were shattered by Barry Bennell]", [[BBC News]]
==External links==
* [https://the-fa.com/7ZFDqu Clive Sheldon QC's independent report]
*[https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/03/18/club-statement-on-sheldon-review Chelsea F.C. Statement on Sheldon Review]
{{Child sexual abuse in the UK}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
[[Category:2016 in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2017 in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2016 scandals]]
[[Category:2017 scandals]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse cover-ups]]
[[Category:Sex crimes in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sexual misconduct allegations]]
[[Category:Rape in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sex scandals in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Association football controversies]]
[[Category:2016–17 in English football]]
[[Category:2016–17 in Northern Ireland association football]]
[[Category:2016–17 in Scottish football]]
[[Category:Sports scandals in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Incidents of violence against boys]]
[[Category:Sexual assault in sports]]