FOUR more pro clubs are believed to have struck hush-money confidentiality deals with the victims of sexual abuse.
And Edward Smethurst, lawyer for Offside Trust, a group representing youngsters who were attacked, believes the extent of the scandal is only beginning to emerge.
Chelsea have admitted paying £50,000 hush money to former player Gary Johnson, who was assaulted by the club’s then-chief scout Eddie Heath in the 1970s.
Keep up to date with ALL the football news, gossip and transfers on our club page
Smethurst, flanked by other sufferers, including ex-Crewe starlets Andy Woodward and Steve Walters, said: “Victims who have come forward to us have made mention of confidentiality clauses being used. They are now wanting to come forward because they believe the use of those clauses was inappropriate.
“We need to sit down with those clients, look at the documentation and see what evidence there was, but we have been told by a number of victims that these clauses have been used.
“Where there is something of a very, very serious criminal nature involving children there is an over-arching need for transparency so that others can come forward. There may be other people involved.
“Are there people involved in the game today where victims have made specific allegations? The answer is yes.”
Related Stories
A total of 17 responded with either a firm denial or the belief that they had not done so to their knowledge.
But Smethurst claimed four professional clubs, in addition to Chelsea, had cut deals and inserted confidentiality demands.
Former Crewe player Woodward said: “The sheer size and scale of the problem is illustrated by the fact that over 860 victims have come forward in the last few days.”
And tearful Walters, who made his Crewe debut at 16, added: “We haven’t been offered any money, not even had an inkling of an apology from the football club we were at, which is, in our opinion, disgusting and upsetting.
“Fair play to Chelsea, it’s too little, too late, but they put their apology out there in a sincere manner. From Crewe, there’s been nothing.”
Since Woodward came forward last month, 18 UK police forces have launched investigations.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Football League had concerns about alleged abuser Bob Higgins all the way back in 1989.
That was when the League sent a letter to junior clubs who might have been approached to work with the Bob Higgins Soccer Academy saying they were opposed to the organisation.
The letter was sent the same month Higgins stopped working in Southampton’s youth system. In 1992 he was charged with sexual offences against boys but cleared on the directions of a judge.
Leave a comment