Chelsea
have unreservedly apologised for their failings following the publication of
a review into historical child sexual and racial abuse at the club.
Chelsea hired a law firm to investigate following the disclosures of
non-recent child sexual abuse perpetrated at the club in the 1970s.
Barnardo's was commissioned a year later by the club to undertake a review
of historical racial abuse at Chelsea during the 1980s and 1990s. Barnardo's
also conducted a review of the current safeguarding culture and processes at
the club.
The investigation into child abuse centred on allegations made against
now-deceased former chief scout Eddie Heath. Charles Geekie QC, who led the
review, interviewed more than one hundred witnesses and reviewed thousands
of pages of evidence.
The club have published the findings in full as they "have no desire to hide
any non-recent abuse" uncovered.
A statement from Chelsea's board said Geekie's report makes clear that Heath
was a "dangerous and prolific child abuser" and that the abuse occurred
unchallenged.
Chelsea added that although the club is now a vastly different place, they
will not shy away from their responsibility.
The report also looked at the way Chelsea handled a civil claim for
compensation made in 2017 after former player Gary Johnson claimed he was
paid £50,000 by the club not to go public with the allegations.
It concluded that although the settlement agreed should not have included a
confidentiality clause, the intention was based on a lack of appropriate
advice and not to silence the claimant.
Chelsea have invited survivors of any child sexual abuse to make a claim for
compensation by writing to the club.
The issue was brought into the spotlight after The Guardian uncovered the
extent of child sexual abuse in football, leading to the conviction of
former Crewe coach Barry Bennell, who was handed a 30-year prison sentence.
Police data indicated that by March 2018, 340 clubs had already been
impacted, 300 alleged perpetrators identified and over 2,800 referrals and
reports received. The number of victims stood at almost 850.
The Barnardo's investigation into racial abuse claims indicated that a
member of staff at Chelsea during the 1980s and 1990s subjected young
players to bullying and racially abusive behaviour.
The report stated that this behaviour took place in an environment where
"racially abusive behaviour became normalised".
Although the individual concerned denied the allegations, Barnardo's
concluded that the victim accounts were credible.
Barnardo's, which has also reviewed the club's current safeguarding
structure, said inadequate systems were in place 30 years ago.
Barnardo's has since identified "a healthy culture" that bears no
resemblance to before but have also made a series of recommendations to
Chelsea.
top