GMP revealed it had joined the Metropolitan, Cheshire, Hampshire and Northumbria police as well as the Football Association in investigating allegations of historic abuse. Media playback is not supported on this device Andy Woodward speaks about being sexually abused by his coach

The Football Association has confirmed it is investigating allegations of sexual abuse in football. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) joined the Metropolitan Police and the Football Association in investigating the growing scandal, which was sparked when ex-player Andy Woodward spoke out about the abuse he suffered at the hands of convicted paedophile Barry Bennell. At least four UK police departments are investigating separate allegations and the FA said it will work closely with police to "ensure we do not do anything to interfere with or jeopardize the criminal process," according to a statement from the English governing body. It added: “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.” The FA said Gallafent will make recommendations “to ensure these situations can never be repeated.” Crewe Alexandra is to launch an independent review of the way it dealt with historical child abuse allegations, the football club said in a statement. Others who have made allegations against Bennell include former Manchester City star David White, ex-Crewe player Steve Walters, youth players Chris Unsworth and Jason Dunford and Anthony Hughes, who represented England at the 1993 World Youth Championships. I dread to think how many victims there are, and my heart goes out to them.”

Other players have said the abuse was “swept under the carpet.”

Jason Dunford, who played with the Manchester City youth league, said that not only was he attacked by Bennell while on the youth league as a child, but that clubs were purposefully covering up extensive abuse.
The Football Association sets up an internal inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse in English football.