The Football Association (FA) could be made the focus of an Inquiry into sexual abuse, with around a dozen high profile clubs such as Aston Villa, Chelsea, Crewe Alexandra and Manchester United likely to be included.

This news comes despite Crewe Alexandra stating that they are scrapping plans for a review into abuse by former coach Barry Bennell. Bennell is now serving a 31 year custodial sentence for abusing 12 boys; the majority of them were linked to the Cheshire club.

Since its former player Andy Woodward first spoke publicly about the horrific abuse he suffered, police figures show that 839 alleged victims have come forward over the past 3 months alone. Many of these reports were received as referrals by Operation Hydrant from the Independent Inquiry in to Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), an inquiry that is already well under way and which is conducting numerous investigations into several other institutions.

These include but are not limited to-

  • Cambridge House, Knowl View and other institutions where their placements were organised by Rochdale Borough Council

  • Residential Schools

  • Custodial Institutions

  • Child Sexual Exploitation by Organised Networks including widespread abuse in Devon and Cornwall, Oxford, Rochdale, Rotherham and Telford

  • Allegations of widespread sexual abuse in children’s homes run by Lambeth Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Council

  • Allegations of child sexual abuse within the Church of England, the Church in Wales, and other Anglican churches operating in England and Wales

  • Institutions based in England and Wales which recruit people to work abroad, including the Armed Forces, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the British Council, private companies and charitable organisations

  • Allegations of child sexual abuse involving the late Lord Janner of Braunstone QC

  • The Roman Catholic Church with the first case study focussing on the English Benedictine Congregation which has been the subject of numerous allegations of child sexual abuse, including at schools run by the Congregation

  • Allegations of child sexual abuse committed by persons of public prominence associated with Westminster

Here at Farleys we continue to see a weekly increase in the number of sexual abuse victims who contact us seeking help and legal assistance. We represent a number of clients whose abuse occurred at a time when they had links with one of institutions as referred to above and who now find themselves under scrutiny. Our abuse team is experienced in dealing with cases of this nature and can discuss your claims in the strictest of confidence. Please get in touch on 0330 134 6430 or contact us by email.