Who is Bob Higgins? Ex-Southampton youth development officer involved in football child sex abuse scandal
Matt Le Tissier claims he was given a naked massage by the 63-year-old, who is at the centre of a police investigation
FORMER Southampton youth coach Bob Higgins allegedly gave a "naked massage" to footballing legend Matt Le Tissier.
The 63-year-old is at the centre of a police investigation after The Sun on Sunday previously revealed that he had been named by former youth players at the club.
SunSport understands at least seven players have come forward to Hampshire police and the NSPCC hotline about alleged abuse by the coach.
And Le Tissier has now said the accusations were not surprising to him - claiming Higgins gave him a naked massage when he was young.
We explain all you need to know.
Who is Bob Higgins?
The former Southampton youth coach was nicknamed the 'star finder' because he helped bring through a number of legends including Alan Shearer.
Higgins was working with the club in the 1980s but he was accused of indecent assaults against the young players leading to court cases.
He left in 1989 and a letter was sent to all clubs warning them to avoid the Bob Higgins Soccer Academy.
Higgins was charged with six indecent assault charges against boys in 1992 but cleared on the direction of a judge.
Three years later, he joined Peterborough United as youth team manager but left in 1996 by mutual consent.
Following an investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches, Hampshire Police and social services send out a warning letter about Higgins.
In 2001, he was sacked as manager of non-league Bashley and moved to Winchester City.
Fleet Town hired Higgins but in 2012, they admitted he wasn't police checked as he didn't work with children.
What is Bob Higgins accused of?
Six former Saints youth players, including Dean Radford, Billy Seymour and Jamie Webb, have all revealed they named Higgins to police.
Two plain clothes officers visited his home and spent 20 minutes talking inside.
The allegations against Higgins made in recent days relate to the period covered by the warning letter sent out in 1997.
Police have been passed information from Southampton FC and a specialist NSPCC helpline.
Hampshire Police said it could not give any more details on its current investigation and refused to confirm if officers had visited Higgins’ home.
A spokesman said: “Hampshire Constabulary can confirm it is investigating allegations of non-recent sexual abuse which relate to Southampton Football Club.
“We are unable to confirm any further details at this stage.”
Higgins denies any wrongdoing.
What has Matt Le Tissier accused Higgins of?
Le Tissier claims that although he wasn't abused by Higgins, he was given a naked massage by the coach when he was younger.
The midfielder said the accusations were not surprising to him.
The Southampton legend told the : “Everyone was just naked and you’d get thrown on this bed for a very, very quick massage.
“It was uncomfortable… I remember feeling very uncomfortable at the time.”
He continued: “It’s very, very wrong…but as a young boy you saw everyone else doing it and thought ‘Oh right, is this normal?’
“Looking back it’s pretty disgusting, I think. What went on is not normal behaviour.
“When you hear stories of the naked soapy water massages, hairy bum competitions, that kind of stuff…you lack back on it and think 'Hang on a minute, what was going on?'”
Le Tissier also praised the bravery of those who have come forward about historic sex abuse in football.
And the footie ace-turned-pundit said he hoped the courage of those who were abused in speaking out will encourage others to do the same.
He added: “It’s a long time ago - it’s just incredible they were able to get away with it for so long.”
What is the football sex abuse scandal?
Around 18 police forces across the UK are now looking into claims from more than 350 people - implicating 55 clubs.
Chelsea FC last week became the first club to acknowledge abuse went on, apologising to former player Gary Johnson.
Gary said he was sexually assaulted hundreds of times by scout Eddie Heath while in the youth side.
The apology came after Johnson claimed he was paid £50,000 to keep quiet after years of sexual abuse.
Since then, four more top clubs have been accused of paying out hush money to the alleged victims of historical sex abuse.
There is no suggestion of inappropriate behaviour towards the other players mentioned in this article.
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