Football sex abuse: Scotland Yard launches investigation into abuse claims at London clubs

Football teams across the country have been implicated in a growing child sex abuse scandal

The Metropolitan Police said a team of specialist officers would investigate allegations of ‘non-recent’ crimes (Getty)

Scotland Yard has launched an investigation into sex abuse claims involving a number of football clubs in London.

The Metropolitan Police said a team of specialist officers from its sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command would look into allegations of “non-recent” crimes.

However, it refused to say which clubs it was investigating or how many allegations had been made.

The Met 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.”

It comes as football teams across the country have been implicated in a growing child sex abuse scandal gripping the sport.

There are 13 London-based clubs in the four professional English football leagues.

One of them, Queens Park Rangers, was drawn into the controversy on Tuesday.

The west London club said it was aware of historical child abuse allegations involving former chief scout Chris Gieler, who died in 2004, and would cooperate with any investigations.