Chelsea accused of paying off former youth player over abuse claim

Chelsea FC has been accused of making a secret payment within the past three years to a former youth player who accused the club's ex-chief scout of sexual abuse.

The Daily Telegraph reported the alleged victim received money after threatening to go public with claims he was abused in the 1970s by the football club's now-deceased former scout Eddie Heath.

The newspaper said the payment was agreed on condition the victim kept silent and he, his family and lawyers could not publically acknowledge its existence.

The Premier League club is among a number in English football to commit to supporting the FA's investigation into historical abuse allegations. Credit: PA

The Telegraph said it understood the Premier League club rebuffed its former youth player's allegation, but made the payment when he threatened to make the claims public. The report said Chelsea did not accept liability.

Chelsea, which has not confirmed or denied the claim, issued a statement on its website on Tuesday night.

The Telegraph said it was not aware of any evidence to support the claim made against Heath by his accuser.