Manchester City rapped for their ‘inadequate response’ to investigate paedophile Barry Bennell

Manchester City’s failure to investigate fully Barry Bennell or involve police represented ‘a wholly inadequate response’, a QC-led report has found.

The Premier League leaders on Wednesday apologised unreservedly for their role in the child abuse scandal that has rocked football.

Bennell, a jailed, prolific paedophile, was never on the staff at Maine Road but was intrinsically linked with the club, taking expenses and using training facilities.

Manchester City’s failure to investigate fully Barry Bennell (pictured) or involve police represented ‘a wholly inadequate response’, a QC-led report has found

During his time there, he abused a number of victims and was not brought to justice, before heading to Crewe Alexandra where he would carry out further sickening offences.

The Mulcahy Report criticises City’s historic behaviour over Bennell, and fellow abusers John Broome and Bill Toner, who were also connected to the club.

A group of eight men are suing City, although the club has paid out several millions already via a private compensation scheme.

Former Crewe coach Bennell is currently in prison serving a fifth sentence for child sex abuse

A board statement said: ‘In addition to the personal apologies that have been made, the club’s board of directors wishes to apologise publicly and unreservedly for the unimaginable suffering experienced by those who were abused as a result of the club’s association with these men. 

‘The club also extends its heartfelt regret and sympathy to the multiple family members and friends affected by these traumatic events, the ramifications of which are felt by so many to the present day and will continue to be felt for a long time to come.’