City set up scheme for child sex abuse victims
MANCHESTER City is to set up a compensation scheme for sex abuse victims of former youth coach Barry Bennell.
Bennell was convicted last year of 52 offences committed against 12 boys he coached between 1979 and 1991.
City commissioned a review in 2016 into whether the club was used by the former youth coach or ‘any other individual to facilitate alleged sexual abuse of children from 1964 to the present day.’
The continuing review uncovered serious allegations of child sex abuse against John Broome.
Broome, who has since died, was involved in the club’s youth set-up in the 1960s. City say the compensation scheme applies to the victims of Bennell and Broome. Survivors could receive millions of pounds in compensation.
In a statement, the club said: “Manchester City FC can confirm that a redress scheme for survivors of historic child sex abuse has been launched.
“As has previously been announced by the club, In November 2016 the club commissioned an exhaustive and ongoing QC led review to understand whether, and if so how, the club was used by Barry Bennell or any other individual to facilitate alleged sexual abuse of children from 1964 to the present day.
“That review led to the uncovering of serious allegations of child sex abuse in respect of another individual, John Broome. It is to victims of those two individuals that the scheme applies.
“The club’s review remains ongoing and Manchester City FC continues to be restricted as to what it can make public at present for legal reasons.
“The club reiterates, however, its heartfelt sympathy to all victims for the unimaginably traumatic experiences that they endured.
“All victims were entitled to expect full protection from the kind of harm they suffered as a result of their sexual abuse as children.
“The club remains fully focused on completing its Review to the highest standard possible.
“Manchester City and the review team remain keen to speak to any survivor of, or witness to sexual abuse which might in any way be connected to Manchester City or which could support the ongoing review.”
Anyone who wants to pass on information to the club can email: safeatcity@cityfootball.com.