Manchester United have admitted they invited convicted paedophile Geoff Konopka to Old Trafford but insist they were ‘unaware’ of his offences.
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Konopka was sentenced to four years in prison and placed on the sex offenders’ register for a decade after being found guilty of 19 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency against girls under 16-years-old in 2011.
The 79-year-old, manager of United’s women’s team from 1983 to 2001, was invited back to Old Trafford last year as a ‘special guest’.
He was brought back to watch United’s Women’s Super League (WSL) match against Everton among a crowd of over 20,000 – which included children.
United say they were not aware of Konopka’s crimes and cut all ties with him after several former players contacted the club to express their ‘disgust’ at his return.
The Red Devils have also since removed references to Konopka from the Old Trafford museum.
‘Manchester United has recently received information around these convictions,’ the club said in a statement following an investigation into Konopka from The Times.
‘And as a matter of urgency [we have] 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.’
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