Manchester United face legal action over sexual abuse claims

Manchester United are facing legal action after a man who worked as a former kitman, groundsman and caretaker was accused of historical sexual abuse.

The claims have been made against Billy Watts, who worked at the club’s Cliff training ground in the 1980s. He died in 2009.

A civil case has been brought by a man who alleges he was abused when he was a child and he accuses the club of failing to protect him from the abuse while he was under their care and supervision.

Manchester United were approached by the BBC and a spokesman said they would not be commenting.

Lawyers at Simpson Millar, who are representing the claimant who cannot be named for legal reasons, said the club had so far declined to engage constructively with the legal process.

The law firm said this was despite the club’s participation in the 2021 Sheldon Review, which documented multiple allegations of abuse by the caretaker and confirmed internal disciplinary action against him in 1989.

Kate Hall, abuse law expert at Simpson Millar, said: “Our client has shown enormous courage in coming forward after so many years.”

She added: “Survivors deserve more than sympathy – they deserve meaningful engagement and accountability.”

The legal firm said the club’s failure to cooperate fully had “meant the survivor has had no option but to issue formal court proceedings”.