Four London clubs in FA’s child sex abuse investigation

Four London clubs are at the centre of the FA’s inquiry into historic child sexual abuse in football.

Clive Sheldon QC, the barrister leading the FA-commissioned report into abuse between 1970 and 2005, has narrowed the inquiry’s focus to 12 clubs with links to alleged abusers. Of those, a third are from the capital.

Sheldon has asked some of those clubs for a ‘structured report’ detailing their response to allegations within a month. If any report is unsatisfactory, he is prepared to lead his own investigation into the club.

Sheldon’s final report, expected in September, will name clubs and individuals if the correct steps were not taken when informed of allegations.

Former Chelsea and Charlton scout Eddie Heath has been accused of multiple counts of abuse while at both clubs before his death in the 1980s.

Allegations have been made against QPR’s former head of youth development Chris Gieler, who died in 2002, shortly after leaving the club.

Chelsea have established their own QC-led inquiry, supported by Sheldon, to examine what happened at Stamford Bridge in the 1970s and the chain of events that led to the club paying one of their former players, Gary Johnson, £50,000 hush money in an attempt to prevent publicity about his allegations against Heath.

Charlton launched an internal investigation following allegations against Heath by Russell Davy, a former youth player, while QPR have said they will “co-operate fully” with Sheldon’s inquiry.