Manchester United is facing a civil lawsuit over claims that a former employee sexually and physically abused a boy at the club’s Cliff training ground in the 1980s.
The case involves Billy Watts, a caretaker and groundsman who died in 2009. The claim, filed by Simpson Millar Solicitors, alleges the club failed to protect the victim while under its supervision.
Kate Hall, abuse law expert at Simpson Millar, said:
“Our client has shown enormous courage in coming forward after so many years. Survivors deserve more than sympathy—they deserve meaningful engagement and accountability.”
ALSO READ: I was unhappy at Man City — Ederson
The lawsuit also criticizes Manchester United for its handling of the claim, despite the club’s participation in the 2021 Sheldon Review, an independent Football Association-led inquiry. That review documented multiple allegations against Watts and confirmed internal disciplinary action taken in 1989. Reporting by The Athletic noted that Watts was later reassigned away from youth players following the investigation.
Manchester United has not issued an official statement regarding the civil lawsuit.