Former Southampton star Matt Le Tissier has revealed that he was once given a "naked massage" by a man at the centre of the sexual abuse scandal which has rocked football.

The ex-England international described the incident involving one-time Saints youth officer Bob Higgins - who has been accused of historical sex abuse against young players - as "very wrong".

He told BBC Sport: "Everyone was kind of naked and getting thrown on this bed... and a very quick massage.

"It was uncomfortable... it's very, very wrong for a start - looking back on it, you think it's wrong but as a young boy you thought 'is this normal'?

"Obviously boys talk at that age, they take the Mickey, it kind of gets covered up as a bit of banter at that stage. But as you grow into an adult, you look at it and think 'that's not right'."

Although Le Tissier claims that he was not abused himself, he added that the spree of allegations from within football "have not come as a big surprise" and praised the bravery of those who have come forward.

"I would like to think the bravery of the boys that have come out will encourage everyone else who experienced those kind of things," he said.

Higgins, who was acquitted of sexual abuse in 1992, has denied all allegations.

Police forces around the country are investigating numerous reports of historical abuse allegations from within the sport, and governing body the Football Association has launched an internal review of its own.