Editing Dario Gradi (section)

==Alleged involvement in UK football sexual abuse scandal==
{{main|United Kingdom football sexual abuse scandal}}

On 16 November 2016, former Crewe defender [[Andy Woodward]] revealed that he had been the victim of [[child sexual abuse]] by former football coach [[Barry Bennell]] (convicted in 1998) at the club in the 1980s.<ref name="Guardian-16Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Andy Woodward: 'It was the softer, weaker boys he targeted'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/16/andy-woodward|access-date=19 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=16 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Guardian-17Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|last2=James|first2=Stuart|title=Associate of Barry Bennell also preyed on boys, two former footballers reveal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/17/barry-bennell-two-former-players-reveal|access-date=19 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=17 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBC-17/11/2016">{{cite news|title=Former footballer Andy Woodward tells of sexual abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38007412|access-date=19 November 2016|work=BBC News|date=17 November 2016}}</ref> Subsequently, six other individuals contacted the police, and on 22 November, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that Crewe teammate [[Steve Walters (footballer)|Steve Walters]] had been another of Bennell's victims.<ref name="Taylor-22Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=Second footballer reveals abuse by serial paedophile Barry Bennell|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/22/steve-walters-andy-woodward-crewe-alexandra|access-date=22 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=22 November 2016}}</ref> As Gradi had been manager at the time of the abuse, and as one attack was reported to have taken place at Gradi's home but without his knowledge, Gradi was pressed to "say more about what he knew and when."<ref name="Herbert-23Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Herbert|first1=Ian|title=As the Crewe sexual abuse scandal develops, it is time for Dario Gradi to tell us what he knows|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/crewe-alexandra-sexual-abuse-scandal-dario-gradi-andy-woodward-a7434706.html|access-date=24 November 2016|work=The Independent|date=23 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Gibson-24Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Gibson|first1=Owen|title=Crewe Alexandra: how a football talent factory has been thrown into turmoil|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/24/crewe-alexandra-barry-bennell|access-date=24 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=24 November 2016}}</ref> On 24 November, Gradi released a statement saying he knew nothing of Bennell's crimes:

:I would like to express sympathy to the victims of Barry Bennell not only at Crewe Alexandra, but at other clubs in the North West. The first I knew of Barry Bennell's crimes was when he was arrested in the United States in 1994. I knew nothing of his crimes before this time when he was employed by us. No-one at the Football Club knew of Bennell's crimes until his arrest in 1994 and his subsequent prosecution in the United Kingdom. The football club also co-operated fully with the authorities in 2003. The club are in the process of a review and I won't be making any further comment until this is finalised."<ref name="Gradi-24Nov2016">{{cite news|title=Crewe Alex director of football Dario Gradi: Statement|url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/sport/crewe-alex-director-football-dario-12225031|access-date=24 November 2016|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=24 November 2016}}</ref>

Also on 24 November, another ex-Crewe academy graduate [[Danny Murphy (footballer, born 1977)|Danny Murphy]] talked to the ''[[Evening Standard]]'' about Gradi:

:He was an amazing, generous, caring guy but he would never cross boundaries. I felt comfortable in his company. I felt safe in his home and under his guardianship. The more time I spent at Crewe, I notice the caution he exercised within his role. ... For example, he wouldn't come into the bedroom to wake you up but he would always shout through the door. ... I hate the fact that he might be doubted in any way or even remotely linked to such negativity and bad things. My experience is totally the opposite. ... I believe that if he had known what Barry Bennell had been doing, he would have put a stop to it.<ref name="Collomosse-24Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Collomosse|first1=Tom|title=Danny Murphy: 'I heard rumours of abuse but it's only later you piece it together'|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/danny-murphy-i-heard-rumours-of-abuse-but-its-only-later-you-piece-it-together-a3403731.html|access-date=24 November 2016|work=Evening Standard|date=24 November 2016}}</ref>

Similar character references were provided by former Crewe trainee, later ''[[Crewe Chronicle]]'' (and ''Cheshire Live'') journalist, Peter Morse,<ref name="Morse-29Nov2016">{{cite news|last1=Morse|first1=Peter|title='I declined evil Bennell's invitation to his home but Dario was always honest and proper'|url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/incoming/i-declined-evil-bennells-invitation-12246978|access-date=30 November 2016|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=29 November 2016}}</ref> and former defender [[David Wright (footballer)|David Wright]].<ref name="IpStar">{{cite news|last1=Watson|first1=Stuart|title=Ex-Crewe academy player David Wright shocked by child sex abuse allegations centred around his boyhood club|url=http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ex_crewe_academy_player_david_wright_shocked_by_child_sex_abuse_allegations_centred_around_his_boyhood_club_1_4799977|access-date=3 December 2016|work=Ipswich Star|date=1 December 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220044135/http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ex_crewe_academy_player_david_wright_shocked_by_child_sex_abuse_allegations_centred_around_his_boyhood_club_1_4799977|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 3 December, ''[[The Independent]]'' reported an allegation from a former Chelsea youth player (later named as Eamonn Manners) that Gradi, then Chelsea's assistant manager, visited the player's family's home to "smooth over" a complaint of sexual assault against Chelsea chief scout Eddie Heath in 1974.<ref name="Indie-03Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Herbert|first1=Ian|last2=Williams|first2=Richard A L|last3=Pitt-Brooke|first3=Jack|title=Dario Gradi covered up sex abuse complaint, ex-Chelsea youth player claims|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dario-gradi-chelsea-sex-abuse-youth-player-complaint-crewe-alexandra-smoothed-over-claims-a7453151.html|access-date=3 December 2016|work=The Independent|date=3 December 2016}}</ref> Gradi responded with a statement:

:Aside from denying any wrongdoing, it would be inappropriate and unfair on all parties to comment piecemeal through the media at this time in connection with historic allegations. Suffice to say, I will do everything within my power to assist all investigatory authorities into what is becoming a wide-ranging and important enquiry into historic sexual abuse.<ref name="Indie-03Dec2016" />

On 6 December 2016, the [[Football Association]] announced the terms of reference of a review to be conducted by Clive Sheldon QC,<ref name="BBC-06Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Harry Redknapp criticises FA over coach claims|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38218377|access-date=6 December 2016|work=BBC News|date=6 December 2016}}</ref> and said Gradi would be among the first to be asked questions over the "smoothing over" allegation.<ref name="FAGradi-06Dec2016">{{cite news |last1=Taylor|first1=Daniel|title=FA to question Dario Gradi over claims he 'smoothed over' sex abuse at Chelsea |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/06/fa-dario-gradi-chelsea|access-date=6 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=6 December 2016}}</ref> In connection with these allegations, on 11 December 2016, the FA announced that it had suspended Gradi.<ref name="FAGradi-11Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Dario Gradi suspended by FA pending investigation into sexual abuse scandal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/11/dario-gradi-suspended-fa-sexual-abuse-scandal |access-date=11 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=11 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBC-FA-Gradi-11Dec2016">{{cite news|title=Dario Gradi: Crewe Alexandra director suspended pending FA investigation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38279170|access-date=11 December 2016|work=BBC News|date=11 December 2016}}</ref> Gradi subsequently said he had been notified by the FA of his interim suspension from football on 25 November, and reiterated "that I will do everything within my power to assist all investigatory authorities."<ref name="Ryan-12Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Belinda|title=Dario Gradi issues statement about his suspension by FA|url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/dario-gradi-issues-statement-suspension-12309369|access-date=12 December 2016|work=Crewe Chronicle|date=12 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="Rawlinson-12Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Rawlinson|first1=Kevin|title=Dario Gradi offers to help in football child abuse investigation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/12/dario-gradi-offers-to-help-in-football-child-abuse-investigation|access-date=12 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=12 December 2016}}</ref>

On 7 December, the BBC reported that the mother of a former Crewe youth team player wrote an anonymous letter to Gradi in 1989–90, asking him to investigate "inappropriate" behaviour whereby a member of staff "took lots of boys into his room overnight" during a weekend away in Blackpool.<ref name="Ray-07Dec2016">{{cite news|last1=Ray|first1=Louis Lee|title=Football abuse claims: Ex-QPR player speaks out|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38225215|access-date=7 December 2016|work=BBC News|date=7 December 2016}}</ref>

In February 2017, it was reported that Gradi planned to appeal against his FA suspension from football, feeling he had been left "in limbo",<ref name="Conway-27Feb2017">{{cite news|last=Conway|first=Richard|title=Dario Gradi: Crewe director of football to appeal against FA suspension |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39103246 |access-date=27 February 2017|work=BBC News|date=27 February 2017}}</ref> but, a year later, he remained suspended from football. On 27 February 2018, claims were made that, in 2001, a former Crewe Alexandra employee was asked by a senior official at the club to help wipe pornography off Gradi's  home computer, which had been viewed by a group of Irish Under-13 players at his house.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roan|first1=Dan|title=Dario Gradi: Ex-employee claims Crewe asked him to wipe pornography from then-manager's computer| publisher = BBC Sport | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43211929|access-date=27 February 2018|date=27 February 2018}}</ref>

In February 2019, ''The Guardian'' reported on a nine-page statement from Gradi about what he knew regarding Barry Bennell. Gradi admitted to encouraging a close player-coach culture and to not making detailed background checks about Bennell because Crewe was trying to poach him from [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] "on the quiet". Club chairman John Bowler said Crewe had not appreciated the dangers of football being used as a means for a paedophile to prey on young boys ("documented procedures that are now in place for the protection of minors were not in place at that time"), while Gradi had not made detailed inquiries into Bennell's background ("He did not have any specific coaching qualifications but none were required and at the time the FA did not publish any guidance on child protection"). However, former club secretary Gill Palin had been uncomfortable about Bennell.<ref name="Taylor-25Feb2019">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Revealed: the evidence Crewe supplied on Barry Bennell scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/25/crewe-evidence-barry-bennell-dario-gradi-check-overnight-stays-boys |access-date=26 February 2019 |work=Guardian |date=25 February 2019}}</ref>

In August 2019, Chelsea's board apologised "unreservedly" for allowing Eddie Heath, a "prolific and manipulative sexual abuser", to operate "unchallenged". Its inquiry, led by barrister Charles Geekie QC, was also critical of former assistant manager Gradi. He was accused of failing to tell senior club staff about a sexual conduct allegation concerning Heath made by the parent of a young player. Gradi denied trying to "smooth over" the matter in a meeting with the boy's father and said he had reported the allegations to Chelsea manager [[Ron Suart]].<ref name="Roan-06Aug2019">{{cite news |last1=Roan |first1=Dan |last2=Skelton |first2=Jack |title=Chelsea apology over ex-chief scout Eddie Heath's 'unchallenged' sex abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49251891 |access-date=6 August 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 August 2019}}</ref> Gradi was accused by Geekie of giving "somewhat unlikely and unconvincing" evidence; Geekie also rejected Gradi's claim to have reported the matter to more senior staff, saying "this was a significant personal failure by Mr Gradi. It was a lost opportunity to expose Mr Heath and prevent further abuse."<ref name="Taylor-06Aug2019">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Revealed: Dario Gradi could have stopped serial sex abuser at Chelsea |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/aug/06/revealed-dario-gradi-could-have-stopped-serial-sex-abuser-at-chelsea |access-date=7 August 2019 |work=Guardian |date=6 August 2019}}</ref>

The FA's 700-page Sheldon report was published on 17 March 2021, identifying failures to act adequately on complaints or rumours of sexual abuse at eight professional clubs including Crewe. Considering whether senior club people knew about Bennell, Sheldon concluded they had not received specific reports of abuse (a conclusion also reached by Cheshire constabulary). However, Norman Rowlinson, John Bowler and Hamilton Smith had discussed concerns about inappropriate behaviour; "... during Bennell's time at the Club, there were rumours circulating about [Bennell] and his sexual interest in children which were heard by some of the Club's staff, including Dario Gradi." The club "should have done more to check on the well-being of the boys", Sheldon said.<ref name="Conn-17Mar2021">{{cite news |last1=Conn |first1=David |title=Football sexual abuse report: ignorance and naivety cleared way for scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/17/football-sexual-abuse-report-scandal-sheldon-fa |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=Guardian |date=17 March 2021}}</ref> Regarding the Chelsea allegations, Sheldon could not decide whether Gradi had informed the club's acting manager, Ron Suart, of concerns raised at a meeting with the player's father, but, either way, Sheldon said Gradi's or Suart's responses were inadequate.<ref name="Conn-17Mar2021"/> The FA's CEO Mark Bullingham said Gradi was "effectively banned for life" from football; the FA legal director said it was "for safeguarding reasons" but that was "as far as we can go".<ref name="BBC-17Mar2021">{{cite news |title=Football's child sex abuse scandal: Sheldon review finds 'institutional failings' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56418652 |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="Wallace-18Mar2021">{{cite news |last1=Wallace |first1=Sam |title=Once feted the great talent-spotter, Dario Gradi failed to spot an appalling reality |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/03/18/feted-great-talent-spotter-dario-gradi-now-man-failed-spot-appalling/ |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=Telegraph |date=18 March 2021}}</ref> Child abuse survivors charity The Offside Trust called for Gradi to be stripped of his MBE, and for the Professional Footballers' Association and Football Hall of Fame to revoke other honours.<ref name="Roan-18Mar2021">{{cite news |last1=Roan |first1=Dan |title=Football's child sex abuse scandal: Dario Gradi should lose MBE, says charity |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56441077 |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="Wallace-18Mar2021"/> Gradi was stripped of his MBE in August 2023,<ref name="LonGaz-4420245">{{cite web |title=Honours and Awards (22 August 2023) |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4420245 |website=London Gazette |access-date=22 August 2023}}</ref><ref name=Taylor-21Aug2023/><ref name="MacInnes-21Aug20232"/> following a professional disbarment.<ref name = "UK Government">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/individuals-whose-honours-have-been-revoked-by-the-sovereign/list-of-individuals-who-have-forfeited-their-honour-august-2023|title=List of individuals who have forfeited their honour – August 2023|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|date=22 August 2023|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref>

On 19 March 2021, Gradi apologised, saying: "I wish to express my deepest sympathy for the survivors and their families. I sincerely and personally regret that the harm being caused to these young people was not discovered at the time. I apologise for not recognising any signs of abuse at the time." He also asserted that he had not been banned from all football-related activity – "this is not the case" he said. "I am suspended indefinitely from certain specified activities with players under the age of 18 years and whilst I do not agree with it, I understand how the decision was arrived at."<ref name="BBC-20March2021">{{cite news |title=Football's child sex abuse scandal: Ex-Crewe boss Dario Gradi apologises for not recognising abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56464043 |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 March 2021}}</ref>