Manchester City launch child sexual abuse compensation scheme for Barry Bennell's victims

Manchester City are launching a compensation scheme worth millions of pounds for victims of historic sex abuse at the club.

It was reported on Monday night that the Premier League club were preparing to compensate former City youth players, the majority of whom were abused by the coach Barry Bennell. As part of a scheme unprecedented in English football, City have pledged also to apologise in person to what is thought to be as many as 40 victims.

The payments will take into account the psychological damage of his acts and the youth players’ potential lost earnings.

Bennell, who is serving a 30-year prison sentence for his crimes, was the perpetrator behind more than three-quarters of the crimes although the club are dealing with other allegations relating to the late John Broome, another former coach.

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City launched an independent inquiry into scandal in November 2016 after the former professional player Andy Woodward revealed he had been abused by Bennell, and encouraged others to come forward.

The review is ongoing, but it is understood the club want to avoid a lengthy court process and will seek to arrange for the victims to receive their payments in the coming months.

Gary Cliffe, one of Bennell’s victims, has said: “They let us down, they didn’t challenge him. They knew who he was and they allowed it to continue because he was producing results.”

Bennell was convicted of 43 charges relating to 12 former junior players under his charge at City and Crewe Alexandra between 1979 and 1990. His victims were as young as eight years old.