MANCHESTER United has been slammed for inviting a convicted paedophile to be a “special guest” at a women's match.
Geoff Konopka, 79, was Manchester United Ladies manager from 1983 to 2001.
In 2011, he was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of 19 offences of indecent assault and gross indecency against girls aged under 16 and 14, reports The Times.
But Konopka was recently welcomed to Old Trafford as a special guest – despite him having an “active suspension” from working or coaching for any team.
Who is Geoff Konopka?
Geoff Konopka was the manager of Manchester United Ladies from 1983 to 2001.
The team played in informal fixtures at Wembley in 1994 and again in 1996 – and were one of the first women's squads to do so.
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Konopka was quoted praising the club for helping the squad, adding: "We were so well looked after.”
When did Geoff Konopka manage Manchester United Ladies?
Geoff Konopka was in charge of Man Utd's ladies team from 1983 to 2001.
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.
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The match smashed attendance records – with 20,000 fans turning up for their teams.
What crimes did Geoff Konopka commit?
Konopka was sentenced to four years in prison in 2011 after being found guilty of 19 offences of indecent assault and gross indecency against girls aged under 16 and 14, reports The Times.
He had also been placed on the sex offenders list for more than a decade.
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.
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