REPORT’S KEY POINTS
AND WHY WERE YOU SILENT, SIR GEOFF?
EDDIE HEATH
AGE: Died in 1983, aged 54
WHAT IS HE ACCUSED OF? Chelsea’s ex-chief scout is accused of several counts of grooming and sexual abuse in the 1970s, involving boys aged between 10 and 17. The external review gathered evidence from 23 witnesses, with 15 reporting ‘serious and unambiguous sexual assaults’. Heath was first accused by ex-player Gary Johnson, who was paid £50,000 by Chelsea in 2015. In light of the review, Chelsea described Heath as a ‘dangerous and prolific child abuser ... his conduct was beyond reprehensible’.
DARIO GRADI
AGE: 78
WHAT IS HE ACCUSED OF? Chelsea’s former assistant manager is strongly criticised for failing to act on an allegation about the sexual conduct of Heath, brought to him by the father of a young player. Gradi, suspended by the FA since 2016, says he passed the complaint to a member of staff at the club and denies that he tried to ‘smooth over’ the matter, but the review doubts his credibility. His alleged failure to alert those higher up is described as a ‘lost opportunity to expose Heath and prevent further abuse’.
CHELSEA
WHAT THE REPORT SAYS A crucial finding by Charles Geekie QC was that the abuse by Heath was ‘not known to the management of the club’. Chelsea are also praised for their ‘full co-operation’ in the process, and yesterday they released a statement saying that the review was intended to ‘shine a bright light on the dark corners of the club’s history so we can learn lessons to help protect players of the future.’
SIR GEOFF HURST
AGE: 77 ENGLAND’S World Cup hero sacked Heath as chief scout around six months after he took over as Chelsea manager in 1979. He is not accused of any wrongdoing but twice declined to be interviewed formally by the inquiry. Instead, he said he was ‘not aware of any inappropriate behaviour’. Yesterday he commented: ‘I was interviewed by the powers that be via telephone and told them exactly what occurred when I sacked Eddie Heath. I saw no reason to meet in person to repeat the same facts.’