26 November,2016 09:24 AM IST | | PA Sport
England captain Wayne Rooney is encouraging any player who has been sexually abused during their careers to call a new, dedicated football helpline so they no longer suffer in silence
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Manchester: England captain Wayne Rooney is encouraging any player who has been sexually abused during their careers to call a new, dedicated football helpline so they no longer "suffer in silence".
The confidential, 24-hour counselling service was launched by child protection charity the NSPCC and the Football Association on Thursday and it had already received more than 50 calls by 10am.
It was set up as response to retired players Andy Woodward, Steve Walters, Paul Stewart and David White coming forward to talk about the abuse they suffered as young footballers.
