Former Footballers Denied Appeal in Legal Action Against Manchester City
A group of former footballers who launched legal action against Manchester City regarding the crimes of paedophile Barry Bennell have been informed that they will not be allowed to appeal the High Court decision clearing the club of vicarious liability. This ruling by a Court of Appeal judge effectively brings their legal action against the club to an end, with only one case still pending.
The legal action was initiated in November 2021 by eight men who sought damages for the sexual abuse they suffered in the 1970s and 1980s at the hands of coach and talent-spotter Barry Bennell, who is currently serving a 36-year prison term. These men, now in their 40s and 50s, claimed that Bennell was a scout for Manchester City when they were abused at junior teams in the Manchester area. They argued that his relationship with the club constituted “employment or one akin to employment.”
However, their case did not succeed after a trial that included the controversial decision to invite Bennell to give evidence on behalf of City’s insurers via video-link from prison. Although Justice Johnson, the judge presiding over the case, described Bennell as a “manipulative liar” and deemed him not credible, the verdict was ultimately that the claims were brought too late to result in a fair trial. The judge stated that it would be unfair to reach a binding determination on City’s responsibility for the abuse based on the limited evidence available after all these years.
The former players’ solicitors expressed shock and dismay at the verdict and immediately began the process of attempting to overturn the decision. However, after eighteen months, the Court of Appeal has upheld the original ruling.
While Manchester City’s insurers denied liability, the club took steps to address the issue by establishing a redress scheme in 2019. This scheme aimed to offer damages to Bennell’s victims, as well as those of two other paedophiles previously associated with the club—one in the 1960s and another in the 1990s. In the first two and a half years, the club paid out nearly £4 million ($5 million) in compensation, and by October 2021, approximately 40 people had made claims related to Bennell. The number of claims is believed to have increased significantly since then.
Crewe Alexandra, another football club, has also faced legal action from former players regarding Bennell’s time as the club’s youth-team manager. The club has reached several out-of-court settlements in response. Dario Gradi, who was the manager of Crewe at the time, remains banned from the sport as part of a Football Association safeguarding investigation. Last month, it was revealed by The Athletic that he had been stripped of his MBE. Gradi has consistently denied any knowledge of Bennell’s crimes but has faced criticism for not taking more action to protect the boys who were subjected to severe and ongoing sexual abuse.
In conclusion, the group of former footballers who sought legal action against Manchester City in relation to Barry Bennell’s crimes have been denied the opportunity to appeal the High Court decision. This ruling effectively concludes their legal battle against the club, with only one case still pending. Manchester City has taken steps to address the issue by establishing a redress scheme and offering compensation to Bennell’s victims. Additionally, Crewe Alexandra has faced legal action and made out-of-court settlements regarding Bennell’s time at the club. The manager at the time, Dario Gradi, remains banned from the sport and has been stripped of his MBE.