United coach’s ‘inappropriate relationship’ with girl player
A UNITED coach had an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a 16-year-old female youth player, it has been revealed.
The matter was reported to the club in 2003 after the player’s parents found text messages the coach had sent to the girl. An investigation was launched and the coach was suspended. The coach told the investigation the relationship was non-sexual, but there was ‘banter’ between them and he gave her lifts home, which the parents were aware of. But after her 16th birthday the texts became more intimate and sexual and he left a voicemail telling her he loved her.
Details of the matter have been revealed following an inquiry into sexual abuse in English football led by Clive Sheldon QC. It appeared the coach had been previously ‘warned’ the girl had a crush on him, the Sheldon report says.
The player and her parents also insisted the coach had booked a hotel for the two of them after her 16th birthday, but he denied this.
Disciplinary proceedings were due to be launched but the coach resigned before the hearing and the case was closed with the consent of the parents. The revelations are included in a highly critical review commissioned by the FA. The damning 710-page report details the abuse of young players at several clubs between 1970 and 2005. Some 240 suspects and 692 ‘survivors’ were discovered.
In the early 2000s numerous complaints were made about someone working at United’s Football in the Community department.
They included concerns about his inappropriate behaviour towards female players. Following a disciplinary hearing the individual was later dismissed for gross misconduct.
The report also highlighted the case of a female landlady who hosted young players associated with the club. Rumours of inappropriate behaviour by the woman were reported by some young players. The report says an internal investigation was unable to establish conclusive evidence of inappropriate
United apologised to ‘those individuals involved’
behaviour, but the woman’s contract was terminated, while the matter was also referred to social services and to the Premier League.
The report also looked at allegations made in 2016 against a former club caretaker who during the 1980s was referred to by youth team players as a ‘pervert.’ The caretaker, now deceased, was investigated by the club in the 1980s for different, unknown matters, and was moved from the training ground to the stadium. He left the club within months of the investigation.
A United spokesman said: “As a club we apologise unreservedly to those individuals involved who were placed in uncomfortable or compromising situations and we reiterate our commitment to safeguarding those in our care.”