The independent review into football’s sexual abuse scandal is to be delayed by potentially longer than a year because of the criminal trials that are approaching and the possibility of Barry Bennell facing more charges for preying on young boys from the junior systems of Crewe Alexandra and Manchester City.
Clive Sheldon, the QC appointed in December 2016 to oversee the inquiry, had originally intended to publish his report in the coming week, having spent the previous 21 months investigating what the Football Association chairman, Greg Clarke, has described as the biggest scandal in the history of the sport.
Sheldon has now written to all the relevant people, including a considerable number of Bennell’s victims, to explain that one of the reasons for the delay is the news that the Crown Prosecution Service is to be asked to consider whether to impose more charges against the man who was described in court as an “industrial-scale child molester” and is serving a 30-year prison sentence.
As of January, 86 other complainants were trying to press charges against Bennell, with at least 97 people – though possibly more now – reporting Bennell on the back of the interview Andy Woodward, the former Crewe footballer, gave to the Guardian in November 2016, detailing the years of abuse he suffered in the club’s youth system. Bennell, now 64, was convicted in February of 50 offences of raping and molesting 12 boys, aged eight to 14, from 1979 to 1990, with the judge, Clement Goldstone, branding him “sheer evil” and the “devil incarnate”.
The delay has also been taken, in part, because of the retrial for Bob Higgins, which is due to start next March. Higgins, 65, who ran the schoolboy coaching programmes for Southampton Football Club and Peterborough United, faces 48 charges of indecent assault.
Sheldon does not offer a new timescale but, writing to the people who gave evidence to the inquiry, he makes it clear he wants to wait until after a possible second trial for Bennell. The Guardian understands that could be towards the end of the next year, if charges are pressed.
“It is of paramount importance that my work does not in any way compromise any ongoing investigations,” Sheldon writes. “The effect of this has meant that I have not spoken to certain individuals who are involved in ongoing criminal trials or investigations.
“I had previously expected to be able to finalise my review this autumn, following the completion of three major criminal trials this year. However, the retrial of Bob Higgins and the fact that there has not been a charging decision in relation to a large number of further allegations against Barry Bennell has meant that I have needed to review this position.
“I want my review to be as comprehensive as possible. For that reason, I have decided not to complete it until I have had the opportunity to speak to more individuals associated with the retrial of Bob Higgins and the further allegations being made against Barry Bennell.”
