Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, has expressed his sympathies with the victims of Barry Bennell after the former coach’s conviction for the sexual assault of children.
Bennell, who was associated with City and Crewe Alexandra during his career in football, was this week found guilty on 43 counts of abusing 11 boys aged between eight and 15.
Guardiola described the scandal as a “terrible, terrible situation” and called on authorities to set an example, in the hope that such abuse would never happen again.
“It’s a personal issue, all the people in this room know it’s a terrible history, so my feelings and thoughts are for the victims,” he said on Friday, while previewing City’s FA Cup fifth round tie at Wigan Athletic.
“Hopefully everyone can learn from that, society can learn from that because I’m a father, so when you see what has happened, it can happen with my sons and daughters.”
Guardiola added: “It’s a terrible situation, and it’s good that that situation appeared and the facts about that and hopefully it doesn’t happen again.
“The authorities and judges have to decide in a better way to try to make a good example for the future so it doesn’t happen again.”
Bennell will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday. The 64-year-old was convicted of 50 counts of sexual abuse in total, admitting to seven charges at the start of the trial.
On Thursday, City named a second man linked with the club who is alleged to have sexually abused children.
John Broome, who is deceased and not believed to be associated with Bennell, was identified as part of a club inquiry launched in November 2016.
In a statement published on the club's website, City confirmed that investigations into the allegations against Broome will continue and revealed that other reports of “historic anomalous behaviours” will also be examined.
“The club is, at present, unable to name or give specific detail surrounding any such reports due to ongoing legal investigation but again, remains in regular dialogue with the FA Review Team and the police,” the statement read.
It added: “The club remains fully focused on completing its review to the highest standard possible.”
