Chelsea FC pays 4 ex-youth team footballers after 2 coaches 'racially abused' them in the 90s

Chelsea Football Club have settled a High Court case brought by four former youth team players over 'a barrage' of alleged historical racial abuse by coaching staff in the 1990s.

The ex-players, one of whom claimed he was punched, kicked, and had hot coffee poured over his head, sought damages for personal injury and loss over claims they were subjected to 'disgracefully offensive racist abuse' from two members of the Premier League club's youth coaching staff.

Lawyers for the men claimed Chelsea were 'vicariously liable' for abuse they faced as teenagers between 14 and 18, which they alleged was committed by Graham Rix and Gwyn Williams, who strongly denied this.

Their cases were due to go to trial but a settlement has now been reached, a High Court judge was told at a pre-trial review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice this morning.

It is believed each player, all of who remain anonymous, will receive a six-figure sum from the club, Mirror reported.

David McClenaghan, representing the men, told the court: 'I'm pleased to let you know that a successful settlement agreement has been achieved between the parties.'

Mr Justice Sweeting had added: 'The only thing to do this morning is to vacate the trial.'

In court documents, one of the men previously said he faced 'repeated and persistent bullying and harassment' involving 'deliberately offensive racist insults' by Mr Williams and Mr Rix.

He claimed he was punched, kicked, and had hot coffee poured over his head during the alleged abuse, which he said caused him 'great distress and upset'.

Mr Williams and Mr Rix have strongly denied allegations they racially abused Chelsea youth players.

Mr Rix worked at Chelsea between 1993 and 2000 and Mr Williams joined the club in 1979 and left in 2006.

After today's hearing a Chelsea spokesman said: 'The club is pleased that we have been able to conclude a settlement of these claims without any further litigation.

'We will continue to offer support to the former players concerned through our dedicated Player Support Service.'

Mr McClenaghan and Rebecca Sherriff, partners at law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp, said in a statement: 'This is a historic moment for our incredibly brave clients, who have spoken out about their horrendous experiences that they suffered over many years at Chelsea Football Club as young boys at the hands of their football coaches.

'This settlement will hopefully go some way in repairing the harm and ongoing trauma caused to our clients, who were just children when the abuse was inflicted on them by those in positions of trust.

'Through our clients' courage, we believe that this will prompt other victims of racial abuse to come forward and our clients hope that this case will prevent others from enduring what they had to.'

A trial which would have heard from more than 60 witnesses was in place and set to go on for 25 days before today's settlement was reached, according to Mirror.

A number of footballers have been on the receiving end of racist abuse online, it was revealed last month, including Chelsea defender Reece James.

James shared some of the vile racist messages he received on social media and insisted 'something needs to change' after he became fourth player to be targeted in one week.

Manchester United's Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial as well as West Brom's Romaine Sawyers all received abuse following their sides' defeats.

James shared a screenshot of some of the abusive messages he received alongside his own caption: 'Something needs to change!'.

Chelsea said they were 'disgusted' by the abuse James had received and called for more urgent action.

A club statement from last month read: 'Everyone at Chelsea FC is disgusted with the racist abuse Reece James received on social media on Friday evening.

'This club finds racism and all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We totally condemn it.'