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Chelsea paid me £50,000 to prevent child abuse revelations - Johnson

Related Topics: Chelsea F.C., Child abuse

Former Chelsea forward Gary Johnson claims he was paid £50,000 by the club to prevent him disclosing allegations of child abuse.

Johnson says he was sexually abused by Chelsea's former chief scout Eddie Heath, who is now dead, after being groomed by him from the age of 13. Heath worked at Stamford Bridge from 1968 to 1979.

Chelsea agreed a settlement with Johnson in relation to Heath's conduct and it is understood to be the only claim of this nature that the club is currently dealing with.

"I think that they were paying me to keep a lid on this," Johnson said in the Daily Mirror, which reported that Chelsea had waived the confidentiality clause in the settlement to the 57-year-old.