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Met Police the latest force to launch investigation into sexual abuse claims

File photo dated 9/4/2009 of New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, Britain's largest police force
Image: New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, Britain's largest police force

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.

Portrait of Chelsea player Gary Johnson at Stamford Bridge in 1979
Image: Former Chelsea player Gary Johnson, pictured at Stamford Bridge in 1979

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.

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General view of a Southampton Football Club branded corner flag

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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