MANCHESTER United made a convicted paedophile a “special guest” at a match attended by thousands of children, it has been revealed.
Celebrated women's coach Geoff Konopka was convicted of assaulting a number of girls under the age of 14.
Konopka, who had been in charge of the ladies team from 1983 to 2001, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2011, reports The Times.
He had also been placed on the sex offenders list for more than a decade after being convicted of 19 offences of indecent assault and gross indecency against girls aged under 16 and 14.
However, Manchester United recently welcomed him to Old Trafford as a special guest – despite him having an “active suspension” from working or coaching for any team.
In March last year he attended a Women’s Super League game to watch the team play against Everton at home.
The match smashed attendance records – with 20,000 fans turning up for their teams.
Now the club have claimed they had no knowledge of his crimes.
They expressed “its heartfelt sympathy to the victims and all those affected by these abhorrent crimes” and confirmed it “will have no further connection” with Konopka.
Former players are now demanding an apology from the club.
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In one email to the club, a complainant said: “The women’s game is ever evolving and there are a lot of vulnerable girls wanting to pursue their dreams who will be reading and looking at your website and possibly looking at him as a role model.
"I am sickened and disgusted to see this vile man online.”
The club said in a statement: “Manchester United has recently received information around these convictions, and as a matter of urgency has been in contact with the relevant legal and football authorities to substantiate the facts.
“The club has taken appropriate action after receiving this information and will have no further connection with the individual.
“Manchester United expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the victims and all those affected by these abhorrent crimes.”
Konopka acknowledged that he served prison time for offences he said were “historical” and took place about 30 years before his sentencing.
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