FORMER Oxford United manager Graham Rix has denied ‘all and any allegations of racial or other abuse’.

The Guardian claimed three former youth players at Chelsea have launched legal claims as a result of treatment by Rix and ex-scout Gwyn Williams in the 1990s. Police have taken no further action but Chelsea and the FA are investigating.

None of the allegations relate to his time at Oxford United. 

In a statement, the pair’s lawyer Eddie Johns said: “Our clients deny all and any allegations of racial or other abuse.

“These allegations were the subject of a thorough investigation by specialist officers of the Metropolitan Police Service. The MPS did not consider there was sufficient evidence even to report it to the Crown Prosecution Service. Our clients cooperated with that investigation.

“The allegations in the Guardian newspaper are contained, as we understand it, within correspondence sent to Chelsea Football Club. That correspondence has not been seen by our clients or by us.

“No correspondence has been sent to our clients or us by these individuals or those representing them. We will of course deal with any allegations if made directly to our clients. Our clients are cooperating fully with the FA in this matter.”

The paper also said the allegations were that black players were subjected to horrific racism by their coaches, including physical attacks and one instance when Graham Rix allegedly threw a cup of hot coffee in the face of one of the young prospects.

As referenced by their lawyer, the paper reports that the matter was investigated by the police for seven months but it was decided there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

Since then, however, two of the players are understood to have been interviewed by the FA’s safeguarding team.

When asked for the latest on that investigation, an FA spokesperson said: “The FA is not in a position to comment on this matter.”