Eight men who sued Manchester City after complaining of being abused by paedophile Barry Bennell more than 30 years ago have lost a High Court fight.
The men, now in their 40s and 50s, say Bennell abused them when they were playing schoolboy football for teams he coached in north-west England between 1979 and 1985.
They said that Bennell, now 68, was a scout for City during that time.
They argued that the relationship between Bennell and City was 'one of employment or one akin to employment' and claimed City were vicariously liable for the harm they suffered.
But City bosses denied the claim and said Bennell was a local City scout in the mid-1970s but not between 1979 and 1985.
A judge ruled against the men on Monday.
Mr Justice Johnson said: “The connection between the abuse and Bennell’s relationship with MCFC is insufficient to give rise to vicarious liability.
“The relationship gave Bennell the opportunity to commit the abuse, but MCFC had not entrusted the welfare of the claimants to Bennell.
“It follows that it has not been shown that MCFC is legally responsible for Bennell’s acts of abuse.”
He added: “Each claim is therefore dismissed.”
Lawyer David McClenaghan, who represented the men, said: “My clients and I are both shocked and dismayed at the High Court decision handed down today which declined to award them substantial damages in their claims against Manchester City Football Club for abuse suffered at the hands of Barry Bennell.”
Bennell is currently serving a 34-year sentence after being convicted of sexual offences against boys on five separate occasions, four in the UK and one in the US, and being held at HMP Littlehey.
