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Police 'opted against action' over Chelsea ex-player's sex abuse claim Police 'opted against action' over ex-Chelsea player's sex abuse claim
(about 1 hour later)
The former Chelsea youth-team player who says he was sexually assaulted by the chief scout during the 1970s is understood to have approached the police prior to seeking and securing compensation from the club. The former Chelsea youth team player who says he was sexually assaulted by the chief scout during the 1970s is understood to have approached the police prior to seeking and securing compensation from the club.
The current Premier League leaders have appointed independent lawyers to carry out an investigation into Eddie Heath, who worked at the club between 1968 and 1979 and died in the late 1980s. A compensation payment was sanctioned at boardroom level at Chelsea within the last three years to a former youth-team player after he approached the club to complain of being abused by Heath, apparently emboldened by the publicity over the outing of Jimmy Savile as a serial paedophile. The current Premier League leaders have appointed independent lawyers to carry out an investigation into Eddie Heath, who worked at the club between 1968 and 1979 and died in the late 1980s. A compensation payment was sanctioned at boardroom level at Chelsea FC within the past three years to a former youth team player after he approached the club to complain of being abused by Heath, apparently emboldened by the publicity over the publicity about Jimmy Savile.
He had previously taken his complaint to the Metropolitan Police who, it is understood, opted against taking any action. A spokesman for the force declined to comment on the specifics of the case and reiterated their stance, outlined in a statement issued last week, that information has recently been received relating “to non-recent sexual abuse in football clubs in London”. The Professional Footballers’ Association have confirmed they were not contacted by the player over the allegations, but would remain receptive to helping the victim if he chooses to approach them. He had previously taken his complaint to the Metropolitan police who, it is understood, opted against taking any action. A spokesman for the force declined to comment on the specifics of the case and reiterated its stance, outlined in a statement issued last week, that information has recently been received relating “to non-recent sexual abuse in football clubs in London”.
Chelsea’s compensation settlement with their former youth-team player was made on the condition a confidentiality agreement was signed preventing the victim, his family or lawyers speaking publicly about the allegations. While such an order might have been considered standard in compensation settlements at the time, and in effect designed to protect both victim and the club, it is understood they would have no issue in the waiving of that agreement now. The Professional Footballers’ Association has confirmed it were not contacted by the player over the allegations, but would remain receptive to helping the victim if he chose to approach them.
The club will provide the Football Association with any relevant information unearthed by the investigation into Heath currently being undertaken by private counsel, with the governing body’s chairman, Greg Clarke, having already claimed it would be “morally repugnant” if it is found attempts were made to hush up allegations of abuse. The FA is already conducting its own investigation into the crisis and have appointed QC Kate Gallafent to lead the inquiry. Chelsea’s compensation settlement with their former youth team player was made on the condition that a confidentiality agreement was signed preventing the victim, his family or lawyers speaking publicly about the allegations. While such an order might have been considered standard in compensation settlements at the time, and in effect designed to protect both victim and the club, it is understood they would have no issue in the waiving of that agreement now.
“I find it morally repugnant that people would suppress reporting of crimes against children to protect their reputation,” said Clarke. “If anyone has behaved improperly, they will be held to account and that information will be released. The FA will not be part of any cover-up. If a club has behaved badly, they will be held to account.” The club will provide the Football Association with any relevant information unearthed by the investigation into Heath currently being undertaken by private counsel, with the governing body’s chairman, Greg Clarke, having already claimed it would be “morally repugnant” if it was found that attempts were made to hush up allegations of abuse. The FA is already conducting its own investigation into the crisis and have appointed QC Kate Gallafent to lead the inquiry.
“I find it morally repugnant that people would suppress reporting of crimes against children to protect their reputation,” said Clarke. “If anyone has behaved improperly, they will be held to account and that information will be released. The FA will not be part of any coverup. If a club has behaved badly, they will be held to account.”
It has been reported that Chelsea initially rebuffed the claim against Heath when it was lodged three years ago, but decided to make a payment when the victim threatened to make the allegations public. The compensation was offered without an acceptance of liability.It has been reported that Chelsea initially rebuffed the claim against Heath when it was lodged three years ago, but decided to make a payment when the victim threatened to make the allegations public. The compensation was offered without an acceptance of liability.
More than a quarter of UK police forces are probing allegations of historical child sex abuse in football. More than a quarter of UK police forces are investigating allegations of historical child sex abuse in football.
Essex and Norfolk police are the latest to confirm they are investigating claims, bringing the current tally to 13. North Yorkshire, Dorset, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, North Wales, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Cheshire, Northumbria, Scotland Yard and Police Scotland have also launched inquiries.Essex and Norfolk police are the latest to confirm they are investigating claims, bringing the current tally to 13. North Yorkshire, Dorset, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, North Wales, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Cheshire, Northumbria, Scotland Yard and Police Scotland have also launched inquiries.