- Barry Bennell was convicted on Thursday of 43 sex offences against 11 victims
- Man City have been investigating whether Bennell used club to abuse footballers
- Probe has found second man, John Broome, not thought to be linked to Bennell
- City say investigations into Broome – now dead – and alleged offences continue
Manchester City say they have identified another person with ‘potential historic connections’ to the club who has been linked with serious allegations of child sex abuse.
The Premier League outfit launched a QC-led review in November 2016 to investigate whether Barry Bennell – convicted on Thursday of 43 sex offences against 11 victims – used City to facilitate abuse of young footballers.
The probe, which Sportsmail understands has so-far cost close to £1m, is also looking at whether any other paedophile may have used their connections with City to commit offences at any point from 1965 to the present day.
Former football coach Barry Bennell has been convicted of 43 sex offences against 11 victims
As well as identifying Bennell’s activities, the review has uncovered a second man called John Broome – who is now dead – but is not believed to be linked to Bennell.
Following the conclusion of Bennell’s trial, City released a statement on the progress of their investigation, which remains ongoing.
It read: ‘The review team has engaged closely and transparently with police investigators and the football authorities throughout the past 15 months.
‘A considerable volume of work has taken place and support workers have been made available for all potentially vulnerable individuals that have been spoken to. Manchester City FC is extremely grateful to all those who have participated in the review so far.
Manchester City are investigating whether Bennell (pictured in 2012), or any others, used the club to facilitate the abuse of young footballers
‘Whilst Manchester City FC is restricted as to what it can make public at present, the Club can confirm that to date, the Review Team has identified serious allegations of child sex abuse in respect of two identifiable individuals with potential historic connections to Manchester City.
‘One of these individuals is Barry Bennell. The second identified individual – John Broome – is deceased and is not believed to be linked to Bennell. Investigations into Mr Broome and his alleged offences continue.
‘In addition to these individuals, the team continues to exhaustively examine a number of reports of historic anomalous behaviours, no matter the level of gravity and strength of potential connection to Manchester City, over a period spanning more than 50 years.’
Anyone who may have information for the inquiry can contact the club, with discretion, at: safeatcity@cityfootball.com.