Gradi denies wrongdoing

DARIO GRADI has responded to his FA suspension, claiming he has done nothing wrong and thanking those who have supported him. The Crewe Alexandra director of football was handed an interim suspension on November 25 following claims he ‘smoothed over’ a complaint of child sex abuse by a Chelsea scout during his time at the west London club. Gradi, 75, is a former manager of Crewe, the club most heavily implicated in the scandal that has engulfed football, and has been at Gresty Road for 33 years. In a statement he acknowledged the ban and added: ‘I would like to reiterate that I will do everything within my power to assist all investigatory authorities. As I have previously stated, aside from denying any wrongdoing, it would be inappropriate and unfair on all parties to comment through the media at this time in connection with any allegations. ‘I would also like to thank all those people who have come out in support of me. It is very much appreciated.’ A former youth player at Chelsea, where Gradi was assistant coach, has claimed he was assaulted in 1974 when aged 15 by chief scout Eddie Heath. He said Gradi, then in his early thirties, visited his family. ‘He came to smooth it over,’ said the player. ‘I remember him saying something like, “With Eddie, football is his life and he gets a bit close to the boys. I’m sorry if he’s overstepped the mark”.’ Heath has since died but the FA inquiry into allegations of historic child sex abuse includes 83 potential suspects and involves 98 clubs. A mother of a youth-team player at Crewe also claims she wrote to Gradi in 1989 or 1990 asking him to investigate suggestions a staff member had taken ‘boys into his room’ during a trip to Blackpool. The scandal will be debated in the House of Lords on Thursday and Sportsmail understands issues surrounding safeguarding of children will be discussed. It was revealed yesterday that Parliament intends to force legislative reform at the FA.