Ex-football manager stripped of MBE for 'failing to act over sex abuse'

22 August 2023 , 22:23

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Dario Gradi (Image: Getty Images)

Former football manager Dario Gradi has had his MBE withdrawn amid claims he failed to act on rumours of sexual abuse.

An independent report said the ex-Crewe boss “should have done more” to protect players from paedophile Barry Bennell during his time at the club. Gradi, 82, who was made an MBE in 1998 for his services to football, last night confirmed to the BBC he had received a letter saying he was being stripped of his MBE.

The reason given was “professional disbarment”. Gradi, who was suspended by the FA in 2016 pending an investigation, said he had “no anger” about the loss of the MBE. But he added: “It was a difficult letter to receive because it was totally unexpected. That’s always been the stigma on my career – that I failed to see what [Bennell] was doing and deal with it.

Barry Bennell (PA)

Gradi has had MBE withdrawn (Getty Images)

“But that’s in the past and I can’t right the wrong there, so I’ve just got to get on with it.” Gradi, who always denied any wrongdoing, apologised to Bennell’s victims and their families for failing to spot the abuse. He announced his retirement from Crewe in 2019 after a 36-year association.

In 2018, youth coach Bennell was jailed for 31 years for abusing 12 boys between 1979 and 1991. He had previously been convicted of sexual abuse in the US.

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