US Football Coach Denies Child Sex Abuse

The former US football coach charged with child sex abuse has admitted showering with young boys but insists he is not a paedophile.

Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State University assistant coach, and his lawyer Joe Amendola said they can answer all 40 charges made by prosecutors.

Sandusky, who is currently on bail, told NBC: "I am innocent of those charges," according to excerpts released by the TV network.

He said: "I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them and I have touched their leg without intent of sexual contact."

When asked directly if he was a paedophile, he said: "No."

His lawyer, in a separate interview with CNN, described his client as "a big overgrown kid" and said he is worried for his health.

Sandusky, once considered a likely successor to legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, is accused of sexually assaulting eight boys over more than a decade.

The allegations led to Penn State President Graham Spanier and Mr Paterno being fired.

Athletic Director Tim Curley was placed on administrative leave and Gary Schultz, interim senior vice president for finance and business, returned to retirement.

The grand jury alleged, among other charges, that Sandusky assaulted a boy in a locker room in 2002 and university officials failed to report the incident.

Thousands of angry students protested when Mr Paterno was sacked, with protests turning into riots as a TV news van was overturned and lampposts on campus pulled up.