​Chelsea are said to have paid off a former youth player in order to keep him quiet about alleged sexual abuse by the club's former chief scout.





English football has been rocked this week by a wave of child sex abuse allegations from former players, with several coming forward to make accusations against a number of coaches including former Crewe Alexandra youth coach Barry Bennell.

Exclusive: #CFC made secret payment to player in child sex abuse claim https://t.co/l5mWb0A6NN — Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) November 30, 2016

As the FA launches a wider independent review into historic child sex abuse cases in football, the ​Telegraph reports that the Blues have been accused of paying 'hush money' to a former youth player who threatened to publicly accuse now-deceased chief scout Eddie Heath of abusing him as a youngster.





It's said that the money was paid to the former player at some point in the last three years, on the proviso that neither the victim, his family or his lawyers would discuss the claims of abuse - although the club did not accept liability.





The Telegraph report that the agreement is so strict that neither party is allowed to acknowledge its existence, but the Blues are said to have failed to deny the claim that they paid a settlement when asked by the newspaper.

Chelsea Football Club Statement pic.twitter.com/ov55hWqLvv — Ian Abrahams (Moose) (@BroadcastMoose) November 29, 2016

The club confirmed on Tuesday evening that they were investigating a former employee over historic abuse claims, releasing a statement which read: "Chelsea Football Club has retained an external law firm to carry out an investigation concerning an individual employed by the club in the 1970s, who is now deceased.





"The club has also contacted The FA to ensure that all possible assistance is provided as part of their wider investigation. This will include providing The FA with any relevant information arising out of the club’s investigation."





The newspaper quote a source, who said: “He [the alleged victim] thought there were more [victims] but it was never publicised and the case settled. These were very serious offences.”

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