Football abuse scandal: Police say there could be as many as 429 victims – with some just four years old

CHILDREN as young as four may have been sexually abused as part of football’s sickening scandal.

And the number of victims, clubs and suspects involved continues to rise.

Police chiefs revealed Operation Hydrant, the UK-wide investigation into non-recent child sexual abuse, was now looking into 148 clubs, with 155 potential suspects and 429 victims, aged between four and 20.

getty

The figures are the result of 819 referrals, with about 75 per cent coming from a helpline set up by the FA and child protection charity the NSPCC.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said 98 per cent of the alleged victims were male — and confirmed claims of abuse had been made in relation to other sports.

Simon Bailey, chief constable of Norfolk, said: “Allegations received by police forces across the country are swiftly acted upon.

“We continue to urge anyone who may have been a victim of child sexual abuse to report it, regardless of how long ago. We will listen and treat all reports sensitively and seriously.”

Getty Images

David White, the former Manchester City and England player who revealed he was abused as a child, believes the FA is doing its best to investigate the scandal and prevent it ever happening again.

White and fellow victims Paul Stewart, Ian Ackley and Derek Bell, met FA chairman Greg Clarke and the governing body’s head of equality and safeguarding Sue Ravenlaw at Wembley this week.

White said the FA was “showing a true duty of care to victims and to the current and future safeguarding of kids”.

But there are fears football will not be able to cope with so many allegations — and the need to provide counselling.

Keith Best, chief executive of male rape and sexual abuse charity SurvivorsUK, said: “The least the clubs can now do is make arrangements with specialist organisations to provide  counselling and support to those who will find if helpful.

“This is an investment, not only in those to whom a duty of care was owed, but also in society.”

Andy Woodward is still waiting to give police information about the alleged abuse he suffered as a junior player.

The 43-year-old set the ball rolling with claims about how he was sexually abused as a boy in the 1980s while with Crewe.

He tweeted: “I’ve now been waiting five weeks to provide my statement. I’ve not mentioned it before now, but it hurts.

“People should know I suffered more than one abuser. I need to let go of that pain, yet still waiting.”