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Manchester United have admitted they invited convicted paedophile Geoff Konopka to Old Trafford but insist they were \u2018unaware\u2019 of his offences.<\/p>\n
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis<\/p>\n
Konopka was sentenced to four years in prison and placed on the sex offenders\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
The 79-year-old, manager of United\u2019s women\u2019s team from 1983 to 2001, was invited back to Old Trafford last year as a \u2018special guest\u2019.<\/p>\n
He was brought back to watch United\u2019s Women\u2019s Super League (WSL) match against Everton among a crowd of over 20,000 \u2013 which included children.<\/p>\n
United say they were not aware of Konopka\u2019s crimes and cut all ties with him after several former players contacted the club to express their \u2018disgust\u2019 at his return.<\/p>\n
The Red Devils have also since removed references to Konopka from the Old Trafford museum.<\/p>\n
\u2018Manchester United has recently received information around these convictions,\u2019 the club said in a statement following an investigation into Konopka from The Times.<\/p>\n
\u2018And as a matter of urgency [we have] been in contact with the relevant legal and football authorities to substantiate the facts.<\/p>\n
\u2018The club has taken appropriate action after receiving this information and will have no further connection with the individual. <\/p>\n
\u2018Manchester United expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the victims and all those affected by these abhorrent crimes.\u2019<\/p>\n