FOOTIE ABUSE
GARY Speed was "almost certainly" a victim of paedo coach Barry Bennell, an abused former youth player has claimed — as it is revealed cops spoke to him twice.
The former Wales boss tragically took his own life in 2011 but before his death insisted to officers investigating Bennell that he had never been sexually assaulted.
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Gary's mum Carol told last night: "He was interviewed twice by the police and he said nothing had taken place. That’s all we know.”
But an alleged witness claimed Bennell assaulted him while Gary was in the same bed — and he is "99.9 per cent certain" he suffered the same sickening mistreatment.
Serial predator Bennell was found yesterday found guilty of seven more child sex abuse charges taking the total number of convictions to 43 counts against 11 victims.
And it emerged a further 86 complaints were now being probed by cops.
Payouts for victims: Manchester City and Crewe Alexandra could face compo claims from Bennell victims 'worth millions
THE football clubs who employed Barry Bennell during his reign of terror could face multi-million-pound payouts to victims.
Manchester City is already being sued by at least three former youth players and another is planning legal action against Crewe Alexandra, the reported.
Three other complainants involved in the latest trial have sought legal advice on potential compensation, the paper said.
Lawyer Dino Nocivelli, who is representing several victims, said the clubs "have got quite a large-scale problem on their hands.”
Both clubs have been carrying out their own investigations and taking statements from accusers.
Crewe said in a statement yesterday: "The club wishes to make it absolutely clear that had it had any suspicion or belief that Mr Bennell was committing acts of abuse, either before, during or after he left the club’s employment, the club would have informed the police immediately".
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An investigation shown on Channel 4's Dispatches last night featured the shocking claim from Gary's former teammate.
He said: "On a few occasions, Gary was in the same bed. Barry would abuse one of us then turn over and then abuse the other.”
When asked if he was certain Gary was a victim of Bennell, he added: "One hundred per cent. Well, ."
Another former teammate said: “I saw Gary come and go in Barry’s life… If you ask me, Gary will have suffered abuse at the hands of Barry.”
But Gary's dad Roger backs his late son in saying that he was not a victim of twisted Bennell.
He has said previously: "I don't think so. Gary wouldn't have it. Honestly, no way.
"He was old enough in the head even at that age he knew what he wanted. He was a clever lad".
Ex-football coach Barry Bennell guilty of vile child sex crimes
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Bennell's trial heard last month that Gary was one of four men who committed suicide after being coached by him.
One of his alleged victims told Liverpool Crown Court he tried to contact the Gary's parents to tell them about the abuse.
The victim said: "Four people from teams I have played with, with Bennell, have taken their own lives."
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He added: "Whether they have taken their lives due to Barry solely I don't know but all I know is how it's had an impact on me and how it could impact on other people."
Gary hanged himself in 2011 at the age of 42.
His family issued a statement at when the latest Bennell allegations emerged denying any connection to his death.
They added: "The Speed family have been assured that the police investigation at the time was exceptionally thorough and there is no legitimate reason to link Mr Bennell to Mr Speed."
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