POLICE Scotland has issued an appeal for abuse victims to come forward, after fresh allegations of sexual offences in youth football came to light.
A BBC documentary shown on Monday night heard from alleged victims of a Celtic Boys Club coach and revealed new claims about former youth coach Gordon Neely, who died in 2014.
Two players from Celtic Boys Club, a separate entity from the football club, told the programme, entitled Football Abuse: The Ugly Side Of The Beautiful Game, that they were abused for three and four years respectively during the 1980s and 90s.
The sport has been rocked by claims from former players across the UK that they were abused by people in positions of authority in the game.
The Scottish force launched a major inquiry into non-recent child abuse in football at the end of last year. In February, it said it had received 140 reports of alleged abuse. A number of professional clubs have started internal investigations, while the Scottish Football Association has set up an independent review.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor, from Police Scotland’s national child abuse investigation unit, said: “Child abuse is incredibly difficult for people to revisit and to talk about.
“Our officers are highly specialist 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 that 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.”
SFA chief executive Stewart Regan, pictured, said: “The independent review into allegations of historic child sexual abuse in Scottish football is currently under way and we await its findings.
“The latest allegations are a matter for the investigatory authority, Police Scotland.
“We would urge anyone who has suffered abuse to come forward using the dedicated, confidential NSPCC 24-hour helpline 0800 023 2642, directly to the police on 101 or via email to the Scottish FA at childrenswellbeing@scottishfa.co.uk.”
Matt Forde, national head for NSPCC Scotland, said: “The latest allegations about abuse in football are concerning. It’s clear that for far too long, children suffered abuse without feeling able to seek help. But it is encouraging that so many are finally finding their voices. Their bravery in coming forward should be commended.”
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