Chelsea have turned a blind eye to sexual abuse by one of their scouts against players in the 1970s, according to an independent report. The report, led by attorney Charles Geckey, found that club chief scout Eddie Heath, who died in 1983, was able to harass "without confrontation" with boys between 10 and 17 years in the 1970s.

The victims said Heath used a "hint" of sex in the locker rooms, but he made sure that "his most serious sexual assault was getting private."

Heath's behavior was almost declared between the players and the coaching staff. "Heath was a serious and dangerous child molester," Chelsea said in a statement, and his behavior deserved "more than blame." "Although the club is different today than before, we will not hide from responsibility for what happened in the past." Claims are assessed by insurance companies.

Heath was sacked when former national striker Geoff Hurst took over in 1979. But 77-year-old Hirst now denied knowledge of Heath's behavior and refused to be interviewed in the report. Jake spoke to 23 witnesses who claimed that Heath had targeted them, pointing to the portrayal of a "bold, deceitful and dangerous" person. "They knew or doubted what he was doing, but they turned a blind eye," one witness said.

One former player described Heath as coming to the bathrooms and watching, while another said he had overlooked the shower cubicle while inside. Heath was praising his "favorite" players and inviting them to his home to watch football matches, giving them money and sweets and befriending their families.

Many said they were afraid to report the problems to Heath, and others wanted to "persuade" him to ensure they were selected. One of those affected felt that the abuse had "greatly affected me and my family." Veteran manager Dario Grady was also criticized, as the report said he was not informed of Heath despite receiving a report of an assault on a boy in the bathtub. Former Chelsea star Alan Hudson said Heath was known to be a "child molester." Players from other London clubs have testified about his predatory behavior.

Former Chelsea striker Gary Johnson revealed in December 2016 that the London club paid him £ 50,000 for his silence over Heath's assault. "They paid me to shut up," Johnson told the Daily Mirror. They probably paid other players for their silence. I hope that no club will hide such facts. No one should escape prosecution. ” They told me: Prove it ». The former player, who later worked as a taxi driver, said he had been sexually assaulted repeatedly since the age of 13 by Heath. The FA and English clubs have been accused of concealing for decades sexual exploitation of children, including as many as 350 victims, according to a report published by the National Council of Police Chiefs in the United Kingdom.

Johnson joined Chelsea in 1970 at the age of 11 and began suffering with Heath at the age of 13. "I felt ashamed, I felt my childhood was stolen from me," he said. "I was very troubled in my late teens."

London - AFP

Chelsea have turned a blind eye to sexual abuse by one of their scouts against players in the 1970s, according to an independent report. The report, led by attorney Charles Geckey, found that club chief scout Eddie Heath, who died in 1983, was able to harass "without confrontation" with boys between 10 and 17 years in the 1970s.

The victims reported that Heath had used a "hint" of sex in the locker rooms, but he made sure that "his most serious sexual assault was getting private."

Heath's behavior was almost declared between the players and the coaching staff. "Heath was a serious and dangerous child molester," Chelsea said in a statement, and his behavior deserved "more than blame." "Although the club is different today, we will not hide from responsibility for what happened in the past." Claims are assessed by insurance companies.

Heath was sacked when former national team striker Geoff Hurst took over in 1979, but the 77-year-old Hearst has now denied knowledge of Heath's behavior and declined to be interviewed in the report. Jake spoke to 23 witnesses who claimed that Heath had targeted them, pointing to the portrayal of a "bold, deceitful and dangerous" person. One witness said the administration and the players "knew or doubted what he was doing, but they turned a blind eye." One former player described Heath as coming to the bathrooms and watching, while another said he overlooked the shower cubicle while inside. Heath was praising his "favorite" players and inviting them to his home to watch football matches, giving them money and sweets and befriending their families.

Many said they were afraid to report problems to Heath, and others wanted to "persuade" him to ensure they were chosen. One of those affected felt that the abuse had "greatly affected me and my family." Veteran manager Dario Grady was also criticized. The report said he was not informed of Heath despite receiving a report of an assault on a boy in the bathtub. Former Chelsea star Alan Hudson said Heath was known to be a "child molester." Players from other London clubs have testified about his predatory behavior.

Former Chelsea striker Gary Johnson revealed in December 2016 that the London club paid him £ 50,000 for his silence on Heath's assault. "They paid me to shut up," Johnson told the Daily Mirror. Most likely they paid other players for their silence. I hope no club hides such facts. "No one should escape prosecution," he said, confirming that he had received 50,000 pounds in 2015. The former player, who later worked as a taxi driver, said he had been sexually assaulted repeatedly since the age of 13 by Heath. The FA and English clubs have been accused for decades of concealing acts of sexual exploitation of children, including as many as 350 victims, according to a report published by the National Council of Police Chiefs in the United Kingdom.

Johnson joined Chelsea in 1970 when he was 11 and began to suffer with Heath when he was 13. I felt that my childhood was stolen from me. I was very troubled in my late teens. ”

• 23 witnesses claiming to have been targeted by the Chelsea Scouts.

Chelsea FC:

• Heath was a serious child molester.

Johnson:

• The club paid me £ 50,000 for silence.