The Football Association is to interview Dario Gradi over allegations of helping to 'smooth over' a complaint of an alleged child sex assault, according to reports.

A former youth player at Chelsea, where Gradi was assistant manager in the 1970s, claims that he was assaulted by club chief scout Eddie Heath when he was 15.

The former footballer, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told The Independent: "[Gradi] came to visit my parents and me to smooth it over.

"I remember him saying something like: '[With] Eddie, [football] is his life and he gets a bit close to the boys. I'm sorry if he's overstepped the mark in his fondness this time.'"

In response, Gradi said in a statement: "Aside from denying any wrongdoing, it would be inappropriate and unfair on all parties to comment piecemeal through the media at this time in connection with historic allegations.

"Suffice to say, I will do everything within my power to assist all investigatory authorities into what is becoming a wide-ranging and important enquiry into historic sexual abuse."

Heath, who has since died, has been accused of abuse in the 1970s and 1980s by several people.