English Soccer Scandal Reaches Scotland and Northern Ireland

Former Celtic kitman charged in Belfast with

child sex offence

    The former Celtic kitman was arrested by detectives after presenting himself at a police station
    in Belfast. Photograph: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

Press Association

A former football coach has been charged with a child sex offence

Jim McCafferty, 71, who was involved in football in Scotland and Ireland from the 1980s, was arrested in Belfast by the Police Service of Northern Ireland after walking into a police station. McCafferty, who lives in Belfast, was formerly a kitman at Celtic.

He was charged with sexual activity with a child and is due before a district judge in Belfast on Thursday morning.

Det Supt Deirdre Bones, from the PSNI’s public protection branch, said earlier on Wednesday: “A 71-year-old male has been arrested by detectives after presenting himself at a station in Belfast. He was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences against children in Northern Ireland.”

Meanwhile, Partick Thistle have said they sacked a physiotherapist in 1992 over an abuse allegation. The club said they had been contacted anonymously for advice recently about concerns over “historic events”.

Jim McCafferty

A statement from the Glasgow club said: “As part of a proactive response to the emergence of alleged abuse in football, Partick Thistle has identified one historic allegation of abuse made against a former club employee, who is now deceased.

“The employee worked for the club for two years as a physiotherapist. As soon as the alleged abuse was raised in 1992, the club dismissed the individual with immediate effect.

“As far as Thistle’s current management can ascertain, no other allegations were made to the club at that time with regard to him or any other employee. The club has contacted the SFA and Police Scotland to advise them of what they know to date and will fully comply with any investigation.

“In the meantime, Partick Thistle would urge anyone who may have been affected to contact Police Scotland, the SFA, the club or the NSPCC helpline (0800 023 2642) set up to support and advise victims of abuse.

“In the last 24 hours, we have been approached by an anonymous individual asking for advice on who to contact with concerns relating to historic events. No details were given. The club advised he ring the NSPCC hotline in line with SFA guidance.

“Thistle regards the safety and wellbeing of the children and young people who have contact with the club, at whatever level, as being of paramount importance. The club will continue to uphold the strictest standards of compliance with all safeguarding legislation.”

In Scotland police have received information about alleged historical offences and will investigate. A spokesman said: “Police Scotland has received a report of non-recent sexual abuse and will commence inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this matter.”

350 CSA Victims; > 50 FA Clubs; As Prince William Gets Involved

FA President Prince William "concerned" about football sex abuse scandal

The Duke of Cambridge, who is President of the FA, requested a briefing on the scandal and has asked to be kept regularly updated

BY VICTORIA MURPHY

Prince William is said to have “concerns” over the ongoing revelations of sex abuse in football, it was revealed today.

The Duke of Cambridge , who is President of the FA, requested a briefing on the scandal and has asked to be kept regularly updated.

This development has some terrific potential if the Prince becomes deeply involved and learns the extraordinary level of child sex abuse that occurs in the Commonwealth, not just in the UK, and not just in football. It is the worst atrocity mankind has ever committed and it is, as usual, children who pay the price. The things he could accomplish if he gets energized about this are worth getting excited about.

A source told the Sunday Times: “The duke is going to be keeping in close contact with the FA.

“His focus as president is on how they are handling the issues in front of them and he has asked to be kept regularly updated.”

His apparent concerns come as more players have come forward claiming they suffered.

    Prince William, pictured here at a memorial service for the Duke of Westminster, has told 
    aides he wants to be kept updated on the scandal

So far about 350 victims have made allegations of child sexual abuse, more than 50 clubs have been mentioned and the FA has announced an internal review.

The NSPCC has launched a dedicated hotline which received more than 850 calls in its first week.

Last week the Mirror revealed former Chelsea player Gary Johnson told he was paid £50,000 by the club to keep quiet about the horrific abuse he suffered as a child at the hands of chef scout Eddie Heath.

Aston Villa fan Prince William became President of the FA in 2006 and celebrated 10 years in the role in April this year with a lunch at Wembley .

    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge plays football with pupils as he visits the school on
    Lan Ong Street, Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo: Getty)

The 34-year-old prince has previously proved he is not afraid of voicing his concerns over scandals facing the game, making a speech this May ahead of the FA Cup final outlining the “huge disconnect” between the sense of fair play and allegations of corruption within FIFA.

He told FA delegates: “There seems to be a huge disconnect between the sense of fair play that guides those playing and supporting the game, and the allegations of corruption that have long lingered around the management of the sport internationally.

    Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L) reacts as her husband Britain's Prince William,
    Duke of Cambridge, (R) kicks a football in a football simulator during their visit to the National
    Football Museum in Manchester  (Photo: Getty)

“The events in Zurich this week represent Fifa’s Salt Lake City moment, when the International Olympic Committee went through a similar period of serious allegations.

“Fifa, like the IOC, must now show that it can represent the interests of fair play and put the sport first.”