Britain's
largest police force has launched an investigation into sex abuse claims
involving clubs in London.
The Metropolitan Police said a team of specialist officers from its sexual
offences, exploitation and child abuse command would probe allegations of
"non-recent" crimes - but refused to say which clubs it was investigating.
It comes as clubs across the country have been implicated in a growing child
sex abuse scandal gripping the sport, with Southampton facing the prospect
of potential legal action by former youth players.
Scotland Yard said its team would work with Operation Hydrant, the
over-arching nationwide investigation into historical child sex abuse.
Detective Chief Superintendent Ivan Balhatchet said: "We take all the
allegations we receive very seriously and they will be dealt with
sensitively.
"Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, whatever the circumstances,
or has any relevant information should contact their local police or the
NSPCC."
There are 13 London-based clubs in the four professional English football
leagues.
One of them, QPR, was drawn into the controversy on Tuesday.
The Championship club said it was aware of historical child abuse
allegations involving former chief scout Chris Gieler, who died in 2004, and
would co-operate with any investigations.
At the weekend Chelsea "apologised profusely" to former striker Gary
Johnson, who was sexually abused while a youth-team player in the 1970s.
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