Four London Premier League clubs 'connected' with historical abuse

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating 106 separate allegations of historical sexual abuse in football, with four Premier League clubs based in London connected.

London's police force revealed that five Football League clubs in the capital were also implicated.

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) announced last week that investigations by 21 forces across the UK had "impacted" 98 football clubs.

A number of ex-footballers, including former England international David White, have come forward in recent weeks to detail abuse suffered in their formative years in the game.

Met Police's detective chief superintendent Ivan Balhatchet of the 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 Football Association have launched a review into the allegations, earlier this week appointing Clive Sheldon QC to oversee a broadened scope after Kate Gallafent QC was selected when it was first announced last month.

The Scottish FA announced on Monday that it will establish its own independent review into claims of abuse north of the border.

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."