Manchester United face legal action over sexual abuse allegations

The allegations have been made against Billy Watts, who worked at the club's Cliff training ground in the 1980s. He died in 2009.

A man has filed a civil lawsuit alleging he was abused as a child and accusing the club of failing to protect him from abuse while he was in their care.

The BBC contacted Manchester United, and a spokesperson said they would not comment.

Simpson Miller lawyers, representing the claimant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said the club has so far refused to engage constructively in the legal process.

The law firm said this is despite the club's participation in the 2021 Sheldon Review, which documented numerous allegations of misconduct by the caretaker and confirmed internal disciplinary action taken against him in 1989.

Kate Hall, abuse law expert at Simpson Millar, said: "Our client has shown enormous courage in coming forward after so many years."

She added: "Survivors deserve more than sympathy - they deserve meaningful engagement and accountability."

The legal firm said the club's failure to cooperate fully had "meant the survivor has had no option but to issue formal court proceedings".