Eight men lose High Court battle against ex-footballer Barry Bennell
The men claimed they had been abused by Bennell 30 years ago
Last updated 10th Jan 2022
Eight men who tried to sue Manchester City after alleging to have been abused over 30 years ago have lost their High Court battle.
The men, now aged in their 40s and 50s, said that they had been groomed and abused by convicted peadophile Barry Bennell between 1979 and 1985.
All eight men tried to sue the football club for psychiatric injuries, whilst six of the men additionally filed for lost potential earnings from their football career.
According to the men, the abuse took place while the plaintiffs were playing football for schoolboy teams Bennell had been coaching in the North West of England.
Whilst coaching the teams, the men argued that Bennell had a relationship 'akin to employment' with Manchester City Football Club and was in the position to scout young talent for the club.
However, Manchester City bosses denied that the club should be held vicariously liable for Bennell's actions and the abuse the men had suffered.
At the High Court in London on Monday (January 10th), Mr Justice Johnson dismissed all claims following a trial that was held in December.
Despite accepting that all eight men had brought sufficient evidence that Bennell had abused them, not enough proof could link the former footballer to Manchester City during the period.
"The relationship gave Bennell the opportunity to commit the abuse, but MCFC had not entrusted the welfare of the claimants to Bennell," the judge said.
"It follows that it has not been shown that MCFC is legally responsible for Bennell's acts of abuse."
Bennell, now 68, is currently in prison after being convicted for a string of unrelated sexual offences, but denied his involvement in the abuse the eight men alleged.
The former footballer, who gave evidence during the trail, also disputed that he had not been a scout for Manchester City from 1979 to 1985, when the victims claimed the abuse took place.
Lawyers representing the eight men who launched the case said that the judge's ruling will be appealed.
"We do not accept the decision as being correct and will be appealing the decision in the higher courts where we are confident we will secure the correct and just result," solicitor David McClenaghan said.
"My clients are incredibly disappointed by the behaviour of Manchester City Football Club."