Dario Gradi, the Crewe Alexandra director of football and former Chelsea coach, is likely to be out of the game for months, having been suspended by the Football Association following claims published in The Independent that he attempted to “smooth over” an allegation of sexual abuse.

Gradi is to be questioned by investigators working for the FA inquiry into child abuse over a former Chelsea youth player’s claim that he visited his home, several days after he had told his parents about an alleged sexual assault on him by former chief scout Eddie Heath.

But the governing body are unlikely be able to speak to the 75-year-old before any police investigations into Crewe Alexandra, the club at the centre of the football sexual abuse scandal are also completed. Police forces across Britain are expected to ask the FA inquiry team to wait until they have completed their work, thus ensuring that witnesses do not offer evidence that might incriminate them or which can then find themselves examined by police on. That could mean it is months before an FA interview with Gradi takes place.

Gradi, who was not seen in the directors’ box during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Crawley Town, denies any wrongdoing.

It is extremely rare for the FA to seek the suspension of a club official and such a move only takes place when it is considered to be in the best interests of the game. But the governing body appears to have moved quickly to do so after the testimony of the witness, which was published by The Independent on 3 December.

The process of seeking suspension involves the FA having to apply for an interim suspension order, with a regulatory commission set up to considered its reasons for seeking one. Details will then have been sent out to Crewe, requesting Gradi’s removal. There is scope for Crewe to appeal the suspension order, though it seems unlikely that such a route will be pursued.

Dario Gradi career timeline Show all 7 1 /7 Dario Gradi career timeline Dario Gradi career timeline Gradi in action for Sutton United, one of two clubs he represented during his amateur career. After retiring, he joined Chelsea as an assistant coach. Getty Dario Gradi career timeline Gradi took charge of Wimbledon in 1981, guiding them to promotion from the Fourth Division in his first full season. Getty Dario Gradi career timeline Gradi was appointed as manager of Crewe Alexandra in 1983, commencing what would be 24-year managerial stint at the club Getty Dario Gradi career timeline In 1997, Gradi brings second-tier English football to Crewe for the first time in the club’s history. He receives an MBE the following year. Getty Dario Gradi career timeline Gradi received the PFA's Merit Award in 2004. Its previous recipients include Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly and Sir Bobby Charlton. Getty Dario Gradi career timeline In 2007, Gradi relinquished first-team duties at Crewe, making Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson the longest-serving manager in league football. Getty Dario Gradi career timeline Gradi returns to the Gresty Road dugout in 2009 for a two-year spell in charge, before assuming the director of football role he still holds today. Getty

When the FA do finally speak to Gradi, it is expected that the discussion will centre on the witness’s allegation that he visited the family home in 1974 to discuss an allegation that Heath, who died in the late 1980s, had repeated molested the youth player before carrying out a more serious sexual assault.

The witness said that in the course of a one-hour meeting at the family home, Gradi admitted Heath “gets a bit close to the boys. I’m sorry if he’s overstepped the mark in his fondness this time.”

The witness’s detailed testimony included a description of Gradi being given tea and cake by his parents and embarking on a long conversation, at times “at a tangent” to the main concern. He described his high hopes for the youth team and heard about Heath allegedly repeatedly touching the young player inappropriately before sexually assaulting him.

In response to a letter posted through the door of his home detailing the former Chelsea youth player’s allegations, Gradi told The Independent two weeks ago that “it would be inappropriate and unfair on all parties to comment piecemeal through the media at this time in connection with historic allegations. I will do everything within my power to assist all investigatory authorities.”