A GROUP of young Irish footballers watched pornography on the home computer of ex-Crewe Alexandra manager Dario Gradi, it has been claimed.
A former Crewe employee was asked to help wipe the material from Gradi’s PC by a senior club official in 2001, reports the BBC.
Gradi, 76, was manager of Crewe Alexandra when notorious paedophile Barry Bennell worked as a youth coach for the club’s academy.
According to the whistle-blower, Gradi was hosting a group of Under-13 Irish players at his house in July 2001 when they viewed pornographic material together.
The man – who does not wish to be identified – said he was “amazed” that Gradi was allowed to host boys “in this manner”, especially after Bennell had been convicted of child sex crimes in 1994 and 1998.
EXCLUSIVE:
Crewe scandal deepens as ex-employee claims club asked him to wipe pornography from then-manager Dario Gradi’s home-computer https://t.co/yyzsPQnncT— Dan Roan (@danroan) February 27, 2018
When he provided a statement to the NSPCC in 2011 regarding the incident, the ex-employee said “it all seemed odd”.
He added that he raised his concerns with police, as well as club chairman John Bowler, the latter of which dismissed the behaviour at the time as "quirky and nothing more".
In November 2016 after fresh allegations were made about Bennell, the man contacted the NSPCC and Cheshire Police for a second time.
In a statement, Cheshire Police told the BBC: "In December 2012 Cheshire Police received reports regarding concerns about material on a computer.
Here’s more audio from last night. Crewe’s Chairman John Bowler this time answering a question from a fan about their handling of the Bennell scandal. “In view of ongoing legal action it would be inappropriate to talk about that further...tonight we’re talking football..” pic.twitter.com/YlaLtPlyAA
— Dan Roan (@danroan) February 27, 2018
"Following enquiries, it was established that no criminal activity had taken place. The person who made the report was updated at the time."
The informant has since contacted the FA's independent Sheldon Inquiry with the hope that they will follow up his lead.
Gradi – now director of football – declined to comment when approached by the BBC over the Bennell accusations two years ago.
The 76-year-old was recently suspended by Crewe following an FA investigation into claims that he 'smoothed over' a complaint of sexual assault whilst working at Chelsea in the 1970s.
