FIFA head urges greater vigilance to prevent abuse in soccer

SINGAPORE – Soccer must be more vigilant in protecting young players as allegations of sexual abuse mount across the British game, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday.

Police in London hav become the latest force to open an investigation into allegations of “non-recent” abuse at clubs, which were not named. More than 20 forces are looking into potential crimes by coaches from the 1970s after around 500 people approached police.

World soccer’s governing body has been braced for reports of abuse beyond British soccer.

“In football, we need to look into that with more care and attention to prevent any child abuse in the future,” Infantino said after a meeting of soccer associations in Singapore.

“Those who have been guilty of abusing on children need to be punished very seriously. They have to be out of football — that is without question — but also on the criminal side they need to be punished.”