CELTIC Football Club yesterday set up a free telephone hotline to help people involved in the incidents of alleged sex abuse at the boys' club during the 1970s.
Trained counsellors will be available all week to provide support and guidance for individuals and their families.
Managing director Fergus McCann said yesterday that ``many'' people had been affected by ``the recent focus surrounding alleged events in the early 1970s''.
Mr Jim Torbett, a senior volunteer worker with the boys' club, was suspended from duty last week after police confirmed they were investigating claims of sex abuse.
Mr McCann said Celtic had been receiving many phone calls from people ``in distress at the alleged incidents of the 1970s''.
He added: ``In addition to asking the people concerned to report all allegations to the police and providing a serious but sympathetic and understanding response, it is obvious that many need the advice of trained specialists in counselling.''
The hotline, 0800 585858, will be open from noon to midnight for the next seven days.
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