POLICE Scotland are investigating 130 reports of child sexual abuse in football, with two arrests made.
The sport has been rocked by claims from former players across the UK that they were abused by people in positions of authority and Police Scotland launched a major inquiry into historic child abuse in football at the end of last year.
Officers have now received 130 reports but believe there will be more to come.
A “significant number of perpetrators” have been identified, the force said, with two men arrested in Aberdeen and Paisley over incidents.
Police Scotland gave no further information on the arrests.
A number of professional clubs have started internal investigations, while the Scottish Football Association is setting up an independent review into allegations across the game in Scotland.
A chair is expected to be appointed this month, with work starting immediately.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor, of the national child abuse investigation unit, said: “Our ongoing investigation into non-recent child abuse in football has to date received 130 reports.
“It is difficult to estimate the true scale of non-recent child sexual abuse in football but we have identified a significant number of perpetrators and victims throughout football and across Scotland, and we believe there are more people who may wish to report. Our officers are highly specialised and are trained to deal with all reports sensitively.
“We would ask anyone who has been the victim of abuse or has information about potential abuse to contact us.
“We will listen and we will investigate, and our first priority will be to ensure there are no children at risk now.
“If you have suffered sexual abuse, or if you can assist this investigation or you know anyone who may have been a victim, then please call Police Scotland on 101. Or you can call the NSPCC helpline on 0800 023 2642.”
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