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Dario Gradi offers to help in football child abuse investigation | Dario Gradi offers to help in football child abuse investigation |
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Dario Gradi, the former manager of Crewe Alexandra who has been suspended from football amid an investigation into his links to alleged child abuse, has said he will do all in his power to help the authorities. | Dario Gradi, the former manager of Crewe Alexandra who has been suspended from football amid an investigation into his links to alleged child abuse, has said he will do all in his power to help the authorities. |
Gradi, who was also the club’s director of football, reiterated his denial of any wrongdoing on Monday. The club, which he joined in 1983, has been at the centre of allegations of child abuse but it is understood that the Football Association’s investigation into Gradi relates to his time at Chelsea, when it is alleged he “smoothed over” a complaint against a colleague in the 1970s. | Gradi, who was also the club’s director of football, reiterated his denial of any wrongdoing on Monday. The club, which he joined in 1983, has been at the centre of allegations of child abuse but it is understood that the Football Association’s investigation into Gradi relates to his time at Chelsea, when it is alleged he “smoothed over” a complaint against a colleague in the 1970s. |
He said: “Having been notified by the Football Association on 25 November, I acknowledged my current interim suspension from football. I would like to reiterate that I will do everything within my power to assist all investigatory authorities. | He said: “Having been notified by the Football Association on 25 November, I acknowledged my current interim suspension from football. I would like to reiterate that I will do everything within my power to assist all investigatory authorities. |
“As I have previously stated, aside from denying any wrongdoing, it would be inappropriate and unfair on all parties to comment through the media at this time in connection with any allegations. I would also like to thank all those people who have come out in support of me. It is very much appreciated.” | “As I have previously stated, aside from denying any wrongdoing, it would be inappropriate and unfair on all parties to comment through the media at this time in connection with any allegations. I would also like to thank all those people who have come out in support of me. It is very much appreciated.” |
In a separate statement, Crewe confirmed Gradi’s suspension by the FA. | In a separate statement, Crewe confirmed Gradi’s suspension by the FA. |
Last week a former youth player at Chelsea, where Gradi was an assistant coach, claimed he had been assaulted by the club’s scout Eddie Heath in 1974. Gradi allegedly told the victim’s family that he knew Heath was “closer” to boys than he should have been. | Last week a former youth player at Chelsea, where Gradi was an assistant coach, claimed he had been assaulted by the club’s scout Eddie Heath in 1974. Gradi allegedly told the victim’s family that he knew Heath was “closer” to boys than he should have been. |
The FA’s chairman, Greg Clarke, said a review led by Clive Sheldon QC had been asked to “establish what, if anything, the FA and clubs knew about these allegations at the relevant time and what action was taken or should have taken place”. | The FA’s chairman, Greg Clarke, said a review led by Clive Sheldon QC had been asked to “establish what, if anything, the FA and clubs knew about these allegations at the relevant time and what action was taken or should have taken place”. |
He said the review would leave no stone unturned and that the FA would deal with the findings in a transparent and appropriate manner ‘wherever they take us”. | He said the review would leave no stone unturned and that the FA would deal with the findings in a transparent and appropriate manner ‘wherever they take us”. |