Chelsea vows to learn from mistakes: 'No desire to hide' historic abuse

Chelsea pledged to "learn from any mistakes that were made" in a statement following Saturday's comments from ex-player Alan Hudson, who said it was "common knowledge" when the club employed chief scout Eddie Heath that he was a paedophile.

The Blues became embroiled in the child abuse scandal that has hit English football after Gary Johnson said Friday that Chelsea paid him £50,000 for remaining silent about being abused by the now-deceased Heath in the 1970s, when Johnson was a youth player.

The Stamford Bridge outfit has requested a law firm's external review of its handling of the 2014 case alongside the investigation into Heath's conduct and insists it has "no desire to hide any historic abuse we uncover from view," though admitted making a payout to Johnson that included confidentiality clause.

Chelsea's statement explained:

It was stated by Mr Johnson's solicitors that Heath had inappropriate relationships with other young boys/men from the club although no names were given to us. With the limited information the club received, we were unable to identify any further individuals who may have been subject to abuse. When dealing with this matter, the club operated on the basis that the incidents occurred in the 1970s and Heath had died in the early 1980s. Accordingly, Heath was no longer a risk to children. The extent to which the club should, notwithstanding this, have commenced a more detailed investigation and reported it to the Premier League and FA is an issue that will be addressed in detail in the club’s external law firm review.

At the time that the settlement was reached, the Board understood it was a usual practice to include mutual confidentiality provisions as part of all settlement agreements and accordingly requested that one be included. The clause bound both parties and ensured that neither could reveal details of the case, including details which claimants might reasonably want to keep private. Mr Johnson's solicitors did not raise any objection to the draft confidentiality clause and the terms of the settlement were quickly agreed.

Amid the media furore and national shame in the child abuse scandal involving former Crewe Alexandra and Manchester City coach Barry Bennell, as well as alleged incidents at Newcastle United involving ex-youth coach George Ormond, Chelsea called its use of such a clause "in light of what we know now ... inappropriate in this instance."

When the Heath probe began Tuesday, Chelsea asserted that no further information would be provided while the investigation continued. The club now says it's working alongside the Premier League, the Football Association, and the police "in helping all victims," according to Saturday's statement.