STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

FOOTBALL bosses are to appear before MSPs to explain how children are being kept safe following revelations about historic child abuse.

Holyrood’s Health and Sport Committee has invited representatives from the SFA, Scottish Youth Football Association and the Professional Footballers Association to discuss child protection in sport.

The committee wants to hear assurances that children are safe to be involved in football today.

The Committee hearing with two separate panels of witnesses will focus on two themes:

Does the current situation regarding a number of former football players speaking publically about allegations of historical child sexual abuse in football have any impact on your area?

And what assurances can you provide that the current safeguards and culture of sporting organisations ensures that the allegations of historical child sex abuse in football could not happen today in sport?

Police Scotland has confirmed it is investigation 109 reports of historical child abuse relating to football.

Because of the wide geographical nature of the reports Chief Constable Phil Gormley said the investigation would be co-ordinated at a UK level.

Neil Findlay, committee convenor said it is clear the recent allegations are currently the biggest issue in sport in Scotland.

He said: “The recent allegations of historical child sexual abuse in football have rightly shocked people across Scotland and it is the role of this Committee to investigate issues relating to sport.”

The MSPs hope to also also hear from Scottish Swimming, Scottish Sports Association, Sportscotland, COSLA, Volunteer Development Scotland, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland NSPCC and Police Scotland.

Mr Findlay added: “With this session the Committee will be seeking assurances that the current safeguards and culture within sporting organisations across Scotland ensure that these allegations could not be repeated today.

“This is why we want to question organisations both on the current safeguarding procedures in sport and also if there is any wider impact beyond football.”

The meeting will take place next year on February 7.