Operation Hydrant reveals that 100 more football clubs have been named in the sexual abuse scandal

Statistics released by Operation Hydrant reveal that the number of clubs “impacted” had risen to 248 from 148 since figures were last announced on December 21
Michael Regan/Getty Images
Tom Collomosse18 January 2017

One hundred more football clubs have been named in connection with the ongoing investigation into sexual abuse in football, police said today.

Statistics released by Operation Hydrant reveal that the number of clubs “impacted” had risen to 248 from 148 since figures were last announced on December 21. That is an increase of nearly 68 per cent.

Operation Hydrant was established by the National Police Chiefs’ Council to oversee investigations of non-recent child sex abuse within institutions or by people of public prominence.

There has also been a rise in the number of victims, from 429 on December 21 to 526 on January 13 — an increase of nearly 23 per cent. A total of 184 suspects have been identified, up from 155. Twenty two of the referrals relate to other sports.

A statement from the NPCC read: “[The number 248] does not equate to 248 football clubs under investigation but instead refers to the number of clubs referenced when information is submitted. The figure spans all tiers of football.

“Statistics released today provide an indicative national figure, up to and including January 13, in relation to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse within football.”

London clubs named in connection with the scandal include Chelsea, QPR, Charlton and Leyton Orient. Chelsea are the only London Premier League team currently named. It was revealed that they had paid compensation to former player Gary Johnson after he was abused by ex-chief scout Eddie Heath.

Further complaints have been made about Heath, who also worked at Charlton, Leyton Orient and Millwall. Standard Sport revealed claims in December he had abused players under his charge at Orient but the allegations against him were made after his death.

At the weekend, a report in The Independent detailed four witnesses who said they were abused by Allan McGrath, who worked as a referee for Chelsea’s youth-team games. One of the witnesses described McGrath as a friend of Heath.

Two of the witnesses described being driven to McGrath’s home when they were part of the Chelsea youth set-up and sexually assaulted there. Both had been promised lifts home from youth matches when they ended up at McGrath’s house.

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