Sunday 27 November 2016 14:50, UK
The Football Association has set up an internal inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse in football.
In a statement released on Sunday morning, the FA announced they had appointed an independent legal counsel, Kate Gallafent QC, to assist its review into the abuse claims made by a growing number of former youth footballers.
More than 20 footballers have now come forward to seek help from the Professional Footballers Association.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor told Sky News he believed the problem could end up being nationwide - days after a series of ex-players made accusations against a former coach at Crewe Alexandra.
Taylor revealed that players have now claimed abuse took place at Blackpool, Manchester City, Stoke City, Leeds United and Newcastle United.
He said: "It would be naive to think that there would be clubs, as well, throughout all areas.
"As we've seen in other areas where youngsters are involved, such as the church and schools, there are difficulties and sensitivities in dealing with it."
A hotline by the NSPCC was set up after David White, Andy Woodward, Steve Walters and Paul Stewart all spoke out about abuse.
Cheshire Police have confirmed 11 people have contacted them following Woodward's initial claims about ex-Crewe youth coach Barry Bennell.
The Metropolitan Police, Hampshire Police and Northumbria Police are all investigating separate allegations of abuse in the football community.
The National Police Chiefs' Council has admitted it expects a "significant" number of other alleged victims to come forward over the next few days and other sports could face similar problems.
As well as announcing its inquiry, the FA said it continued to "prioritise victim support and provide full assistance to on-going police inquiries".
The FA statement added: "At this time, with acknowledgement that a wide-ranging inquiry may be required in time, we are working closely with the police to support their lead investigations and must ensure we do not do anything to interfere with or jeopardise the criminal process.
"The internal review will look into what information The FA was aware of at the relevant times around the issues that have been raised in the press, what clubs were aware of, and what action was or should have been taken."
It added that Gallafent would make recommendations "to ensure these situations can never be repeated".
League Two side Crewe have announced they are launching an independent review of the way they dealt with historical child abuse allegations.
Speaking to Sky News on Saturday before the club announced their full review, Woodward said: "That club needs a full investigation for what went on all those years at Crewe Alexandra.
"I knew things were going on around the scenes and there were loads of arguments. I've tried to be as dignified as I possibly can be about the club.
"There have been comments made by Dario Gradi [Crewe's director of football and former manager] and John Bowler [club chairman since 1987 and a director from 1980] about them doing their internal investigation, and that 'it was a long time ago'.
"It may be a long time ago but we're all suffering and people have died because of this. I am shocked and disgusted with some of the comments and I can say that now."
The NSPCC's dedicated hotline for football-related abuse cases - 0800 023 2642
