Football sex abuse claims: SunSport questions 19 Premier League clubs after Chelsea confirm they paid £50,000 to silence former player Gary Johnson
Blues paid Johnson huge sum in 2015 to keep quiet about horrific abuse he suffered at hands of former coach Eddie Heath
FOOTBALL is facing damaging allegations of sexual abuse that cast a long shadow over the game.
Chelsea confirmed they paid £50,000 in 2015 to former player Gary Johnson after he reported the horrific incidents he suffered at the hands of ex-youth coach Eddie Heath.
And this has now led to questions over how widespread the issue was.
SunSport believed the subject had to be confronted and so we went to the other 19 Premier League clubs with a simple question: Have you made any payments of compensation, or entered into confidentiality agreements, with any individuals with regard to allegations of sexual abuse made against any employees or junior coach/scouting staff?
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All the Prem clubs were made aware that we planned to publish their replies — and also name those teams who were unwilling to provide us with an answer.
Of the top-flight clubs, 17 were insistent they had no knowledge of any payments being made.
Two clubs, Burnley and Stoke, were less forthcoming:
ARSENAL: “No we haven’t.”
BOURNEMOUTH: “AFC Bournemouth have made no payments of compensation and have not entered into confidentiality agreements with any individuals with regards to allegations of sexual abuse made against employees, junior coaches or scouting staff.”
BURNLEY: “The Premier League have issued a statement and we have nothing further to add.”
CRYSTAL PALACE: “There have been no payments from Crystal Palace as far as the current management team are aware.”
EVERTON: The club’s position is there have been no payments made.
HULL: “As far as we are aware, no payments of compensation have been made and we have not entered into any confidentially agreements with any individuals with regards to allegations of sexual abuse made against any of our employees or junior coach/scouting staff.”
LEICESTER: “No, but with the caveat that we cannot speak for ancient history.”
LIVERPOOL: The club’s position is that there have been no payments made.
MANCHESTER CITY: Club stance is that there are no known payments or confidentiality agreements. The club announced an investigation last week.
MANCHESTER UNITED: “No.”
MIDDLESBROUGH: “The club have no knowledge of any such payments being made, or of any confidentiality agreements relating to such matters.”
SOUTHAMPTON: “Our response would be No. Southampton FC would like to confirm that we have contacted Hampshire Police following information supplied to us in relation to historical child abuse within football.
“The club has informed Hampshire Police that we will offer our full support to any investigation they undertake, for as long as it takes, and with our full focus.
“The club works closely and tirelessly with the Premier League to promote the safeguarding of children and young people who are under our care, or using our facilities, and their well-being is paramount to all staff.”
STOKE: Failed to respond to our question.
SUNDERLAND: “No.”
SWANSEA: “No.”
TOTTENHAM: “No we have not made any payments or entered into confidentiality agreements.”
WATFORD: “No.”
WEST BROM: “No, but with the caveat that we cannot speak for ancient history.”
WEST HAM: “Categorically, no.”