Chelsea investigating alleged sexual abuse from 1970s

Chelsea has procured the services of an external law firm to explore allegations of sexual abuse from the 1970s by a former and now-deceased employee, the club revealed on Tuesday.

The Blues have pledged to be in regular contact with the Football Association, to provide the body with any information uncovered in their findings. This would also assist the FA's own investigation into child abuse in the game, prompted by the Guardian's Daniel Taylor's interview with ex-Crewe Alexandra footballer Andy Woodward, who disclosed the abuse he received from former coach Barry Bennell.

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Since then, over 20 retired players have come forward with allegations, prompting five separate police forces into action, while Bennell was arrested Tuesday on eight separate counts of abusing a boy aged under 14.

BBC Sport understands culture secretary Karen Bradley told the House of Commons that police have received over 250 calls relating to these allegations since the scandal gathered momentum.

Chelsea said that no further information would be provided while its probe was ongoing.