By Lisa Millar.
A child abuse scandal is threatening to engulf professional football clubs in England, with former players alleging the existence of paedophile rings that operated unchecked.
Several former professional players have come forward to reveal they were abused as children while playing for their clubs.
Andy Woodward was the first to go public, saying former coach at England’s Crewe Alexandra football club, Barry Bennell, had abused him.
Three other players have also come forward, including 44-year-old Chris Unsworth, who said he was raped between 50 and 100 times.
“I would never have come forward if I hadn’t seen Andy on television,” Unsworth said.
“I know what he has been through because I have been through exactly the same … All the lads have been through the same.”
Police said a hotline set up to deal with the widening scandal received 50 calls within the first two hours, with allegations being made against more than one person.
‘I believe there was a conspiracy, there was a paedophile ring.’
Manchester City young team player Jason Dunford said the scandal was bigger than the one involving former BBC presenter Jimmy Saville.
“I think Saville looks like a choir boy compared to this fella,” Dunford said.
“I believe there was a conspiracy, there was a paedophile ring, and there was people at those football clubs who had a duty to look after the welfare of young boys coming through their system.
“This is their potential future stars, and their future stars are being sexually assaulted and sexually abused by a member of their staff.”
Former coach Bennell has served three jail sentences for child abuse.
Unsworth said he thinks members of the club turned a blind eye to the abuse.
“I think members of the club, they knew what was going on. [They] just swept it under the carpet end.”
England captain Wayne Rooney has urged players who have been sexually abused to call the helpline so they do not suffer in silence.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has also praised the men for their courage in coming forward.
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
