Metropolitan police officers are investigating 106 separate allegations of historical sexual abuse at football clubs in London.
Britain’s biggest police force said the allegations were linked to individuals at 32 named clubs or teams in London, including four in the Premier League.
Two allegations have been made against Championship clubs, three against clubs in Leagues One and Two and 21 other clubs including non-league or non-professional or amateur teams were involved, the Met said.
The update from Scotland Yard comes nearly four weeks after the former Crewe defender Andy Woodward waived his right to anonymity to tell the Guardian that he had been a victim of sexual abuse.
DCS Ivan Balhatchet, of the Met’s sexual offence, exploitation and child abuse command, said: “The Met take all allegations seriously, and specialist officers will work through the information passed to them.
“The number of referrals, pieces of information and allegations will change. Officers will continue to work through the information that has been reported.”
The Met refused to name the clubs involved or the number of allegations against each club.
Last week, police chiefs confirmed 83 potential suspects had been identified in connection with allegations of historical child sexual abuse in football.
After Woodward spoke out, former Crewe player Steve Walters alleged he was abused, also in an interview with the Guardian. Other players, including Paul Stewart and David White, then came forward to the Guardian and other media.
The Guardian subsequently reported that an unnamed former Newcastle United player had contacted police with allegations against coach George Ormond, who was jailed for six years in 2002 for numerous assaults over 24 years.
The Football Association appointed Kate Gallafent QC at the end of November to help with its internal review of historical child sexual abuse allegations. Twenty-one police forces have launched investigations into the claims.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Football Association has announced an independent review into allegations of child sex abuse within the sport.
In a statement released late on Tuesday afternoon, the SFA said Scottish football was “a safe and enjoyable environment for children”, but added that it was taking “initial steps towards establishing an appropriate scope and terms of reference for an independent review”.
“It is imperative that we take the necessary time and guidance to ensure this review complements the work of Police Scotland and focuses on processes and procedures in place both currently and historically in Scottish football,” the SFA said.
Police Scotland is currently investigating a series of allegations of historical sexual abuse at football clubs in Scotland.
Partick Thistle admitted firing one of their employees in 1992 over abuse claims. That employee also worked for Motherwell, who are holding their own investigation.
A former youth coach for Celtic, Hibernian and Falkirk was charged last Wednesday with a child sex offence in Northern Ireland and has been remanded in custody.
SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: “Police Scotland has reaffirmed that it is the investigatory authority regarding reports of child sexual abuse in football and it is therefore crucial to draw the distinction between their ongoing investigation and what lessons football can learn from historic allegations.”
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