Claims he challenged kid of 11 over crude remarks

A youth football coach has been suspended amid complaints he confronted an 11-year-old over making crude remarks about his wife.

It is alleged that Juan Maroto twice challenged the lad after he was identified as having made the comments.

The incident took place at Scotland Boys Club – Academy of Football ’s Hamilton Palace training ground.

Maroto was suspended after the kid’s parents lodged a complaint.

The club, run by former Manchester City and Covent r y star Bobby McDonald, coach children aged from five to 12 years old. They are members of the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Youth Football Association.

The team’s own child protection officer is investigating the claims and the SYFA have been informed.

An insider said: “The boy’s family complained that the coach took their son aside without a designated adult being present. It was claimed the boy made sexual comments about his wife. The coach was provisionally suspended. They’ve also lodged a formal complaint with the SYFA.

“The coach is very strict and doesn’t allow any bad language from the boys. He feels that the complaint is part of a vendetta against him.”

The original incident happened on May 30. When the boy returned to training, his parents – who deny their child made any rude comments – claim he was reduced to tears when Maroto quizzed him a second time.

The Spaniard is registered as a coach with the SYFA and has trained the under-11s for about a year.

Maroto – who has SFA- endorsed coaching qualif ications on his CV and insists he has worked all over Europe without any issues – was suspended last Sunday. He said he is registered under the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme and has been Disclosure Scotland checked.

Maroto, of Paisley, added: “The investigation is still going on so I can’t speak to anyone. The Academy told me that one of the parents complained about serious accusations. They sent me a formal letter.”

A spokesman for the SYFA confirmed they’d had a report and a “precautionary suspension” was in place “while appropriate investigations are ongoing”.

He added: “Once those are complete, we will support the club in taking any appropriate action.”

McDonald and the SFA refused to comment.