Chelsea
have "apologised profusely" to former striker Gary Johnson, who was sexually
abused while a youth team player at the London club in the 1970s.
In a statement, Chelsea said Mr Johnson had "suffered unacceptably" and that
it had "no desire to hide any historic abuse we uncover from view".
The club said an external review would examine whether it carried out a
proper investigation when the allegations first came to light, and why it
did not report them to the Football Association and Premier League.
"We are fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all
children and young people who are in our care or attending our premises.
Their welfare is of paramount importance," the club said in their statement.
"We pay tribute to the enormous courage of the people who have spoken out
about the horrific abuse which they endured, including former Chelsea player
Gary Johnson. We recognise that to do so, after carrying the burden of those
events for so long, must have been an extremely difficult thing to do.
"This is a challenge for all clubs and everyone involved in the game. As a
club, we are absolutely determined to do the right thing: to fully support
those affected, and the investigations being carried out. We are working
with the Premier League, the Football Association and the police in helping
all victims.
"It is clear that Gary Johnson suffered unacceptably while in our employment
in the 1970s for which the club apologises profusely."
It was previously claimed that Chelsea paid off Mr Johnson, who alleged he
was abused by ex-coach Eddie Heath.
Mr Johnson, now 57, said he was paid £50,000 not to go public with
allegations that he was sexually abused by its former chief scout.
Chelsea said on Tuesday that it had appointed an external law firm to carry
out a formal investigation into a former employee.
Mr Heath, who was the club's chief scout from 1968 to 1979, died before the
allegations were made.
top