Crewe to launch independent review of sex abuse claims

Crewe are to launch an independent review of the way they dealt with historical child abuse allegations, the club have said in a statement.

The League Two club released a statement on Saturday evening explaining they will appoint an external legal counsel to carry out an investigation.

Former Crewe director Hamilton Smith, who was on the board from 1986 to early 1990, had earlier claimed the club held board-level talks about an allegation of sexual abuse made against ex-junior coach Barry Bennell in the late 1980s, but kept him on.

In an interview last week with The Guardian, Andy Woodward broke his silence on abuse he suffered from Bennell while at Crewe between the ages of 11 and 15.

Ex-Crewe midfielder Steve Walters and former Manchester City forward David White have since also claimed to have been abused by Bennell, while former England international Paul Stewart has described the abuse he suffered from an unnamed youth coach as a child over a four-year period.

Bennell was jailed for nine years in 1998 after pleading guilty to sexual offences.

"Crewe Alexandra Football Club can today announce that it is to launch an independent review of the way the club dealt with historical child abuse allegations," the League Two club said in a statement on their website.

"The club is determined that a thorough investigation takes place at the earliest opportunity and believes an independent review, to be conducted via the appointment of external legal counsel, is the correct way forward in the circumstances."

The club added they would make no further comment at this stage.