THE support group set up by survivors of child sexual abuse in football has demanded the government withdraw the MBE awarded to Dario Gradi. Former Crewe boss Gradi was criticised by the Sheldon Inquiry, which detailed abuse within football, for not doing enough to protect youngsters at his club. The FA have also confirmed one […]
THE support group set up by survivors of child sexual abuse in football has demanded the government withdraw the MBE awarded to Dario Gradi.
Former Crewe boss Gradi was criticised by the Sheldon Inquiry, which detailed abuse within football, for not doing enough to protect youngsters at his club.
The FA have also confirmed one of the most respected coaches of the 1980s and 1990s is banned from the game for safeguarding reasons.
Now the Offside Trust, set up by those who suffered at the hands of paedophiles operating within the game in the past, says it is time honours handed out to the 79-year-old are withdrawn.
They said: “Dario Gradi was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to football.
“The FA confirmed that he has been banned from football since 2016 (and indefinitely) for safeguarding issues.
“We’re writing to Cabinet Office to request forfeiture of the MBE.
“We will be making similar requests to the PFA and Football Hall of Fame to revoke other honours.
“Symbolism matters.”
Gradi has always denied any knowledge of the abuse carried out by Barry Bennell during his time at Crewe, and similarly of the actions of Eddie Heath during his time at Chelsea.
Sheldon found he did not cover up any wrongdoing.
However, in his interview with the respected QC, Gradi amazingly claimed not to know someone putting hands down the trousers of another person was an offence.
The refusal of the FA to reveal exactly what Gradi has been suspended for has been criticised by a lawyer specialising in the cases of historical abuse in the game.
Dino Nocivelli, believes the failure to provide further explanation cannot be justified and said it was causing survivors ‘confusion and distress’.
He said: “I don’t understand and I do not think it is justifiable that we do not know what Gradi has been suspended for.
“The elephant has become so big there’s no more room.
“Four-and-a-half-years later and the Sheldon report failed to comment on it, and even when they are questioned about it afterwards they fail to say ‘Dario Gradi was suspended for X’, or ‘Dario Gradi has been found guilty of Y’.
“Even the words they used yesterday didn’t say he was struck off.
“It leaves this huge cloud, this massive elephant in the room.”
