Barcelona to work with police as coach accused of sexually abusing children

The La Liga giants have already confirmed they will work closely with the authorities in a bid to help them as a former youth coach faces allegations of child sex abuse

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club will help authorities in their investigations into child sex abuse allegations against Albert Benaiges – the former head of the club’s youth system.

Laporta has gone one further and offered his support to every person that came forward and spoke publicly via an investigation conducted by Spanish outlet Ara.

Their report included accounts from 60 witnesses who all attended a school in the Catalan city in which Benaiges taught as a physical education teacher during the 1980s and 1990s.

According to the investigation, just one former student has made a formal statement against the ex-teacher to the police so far.

While there have not been allegations made in connection with his time working with Barcelona, the allegations centred around his time at the Catalan school include accusations of exposing himself to boys and girls at the school and touching children.

Speaking in a recorded statement, Laporta said: “Barcelona completely support the possible victims that have suffered these reprehensible acts that have been reported at [a school in] Barcelona.

“We are collaborating with the police with complete transparency to clarify if any of these acts took place at our club. We will always protect and defend minors and their families.

“Barca stand alongside those that suffer injustices and violence. We are not going to hide from this. If any case is detected at the club, we will deal with it with complete transparency, while always supporting those affected and their families.”

Benaiges, 71, has previously been credited with discovering club legend Andres Iniesta, having also worked with Xavi – the current manager of the club.

Across his time at the Camp Nou, Benaiges has enjoyed a number of different roles within the club’s youth set-up – leaving in 2012 only to return in March of this year once Laporta was re-elected as club president.

The Barcelona chief has insisted he would have never brought the former PE teacher back to the club had he been aware of the allegations.

Benaiges has since commented on Ara’s investigation, stating: “I have never hurt anyone and if I have done it hasn’t been intentionally.

“I have an adopted son and four foster children; my conscience is very clear, I have never forced anybody and I have denounced paedophiles.”

Manager Xavi has expressed his shock over the allegations, revealing: “I don’t have any information that there have been any type of these episodes, although that does not mean they did not happen.

“He was my coach and I never had any suspicions. I am very surprised and stunned. This is a very delicate, complicated issue.

“I have spoken with the coaching staff because we love Albert very much.

“We always had an excellent relationship, and he left a very good legacy. It is the justice system that will have to decide.”