Former Chelsea owner Ken Bates criticised for reaction to alleged racial abuse

Former Chelsea owner Ken Bates has been criticised for reacting to allegations of racial abuse by saying "the sniff of money is in the air".

The 86-year-old owned Chelsea from 1982 until June 2003, a period in which it is claimed by former youth team players that they were racially abused by two coaches.

Bates was asked by the Proper Sport Daily podcast about the abuse allegations concerning Graham Rix and Gwyn Williams. Both men vehemently deny all the allegations.

In an interview broadcast on May 10, Bates said: "What bothers me a bit - and obviously I'm keeping an open mind about it - [is] I'm a bit curious where all these ancient coming outs, so many years later.

"What did they do about it at the time? If I'd have been racially abused as a kid I'd have told my dad, and expected him to support me.

"Or of course I could've left the club and joined another one. It's all very well to say 'oh well I didn't want to say anything or do anything because it might harm my career'.

"But if you've got the ability, plenty of other clubs were looking at snapping up young black kids.

"So the sniff of money is in the air.

"I think it's time that people should take a tough line and say 'OK, name the people, name the times, what was actually said? What was your response?'

"This is trial by smear. It's not good enough."

Dino Nocivelli, a solicitor specialising in actions for child abuse survivors, is representing a number of complainants from the 1990s and described Bates' comments as "truly shameful".

Nocivelli said: "My clients take particular offence to Bates' comments criticising them for failing to disclose their identities and for these 'ancient coming outs'.

"The only things that my clients wanted to do as children was to play football and to achieve their dream of becoming professional footballers.

"Instead, they suffered an alleged daily nightmare of abuse at Chelsea Football Club in the 1990s.

"These children are now men and although it may feel 'ancient' to Bates, the pain and suffering that these men feel is real and continues to the current day.

"My clients want the truth to finally be exposed. Justice is long overdue."

Chelsea are investigating the claims of racial abuse. In January, the club approached Barnardo's, the children's charity, to commission an independent review into historical allegations of racism.

Chelsea said in a statement: "We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and they will be fully investigated.

"We are absolutely determined to do the right thing, to assist the authorities and any investigations they may carry out, and to fully support those affected, which would include counselling for any former player that may need it."