Former Sutton player Dario Gradi, who was suspended from football activity pending investigations into historic child abuse, did not breach a Football Association ban when he attended the U’s 1-0 win over Leeds United according to the governing body.

Mr Gradi, 75, who also managed Wimbledon and Crystal Palace, was part a pre-match presentation of ex-Sutton players who last took on the Whites in 1970, a game they lost 6-0.

He earned a reputation for developing young talent including David Platt, Neil Lennon and Robbie Savage at Crewe Alexandra after he joined the club in 1983.

The former defender was suspended by the FA in December last year following allegations he ‘smoothed over’ a complaint of sexual abuse made against Eddie Heath, Chelsea’s chief scout, during his time as the Blue’s assistant coach in the 1970s.

A spokesman for the FA said: “We are aware that Mr Gradi attended Sunday’s tie between Sutton and Leeds. He did not attend the match in an official capacity, but in a personal one.

“As such Mr Gradi did not contravene his ban and the FA will not be investigating the matter further.”

Bruce Elliot, chairman of Sutton United, said: “It was a PR job to invite former Sutton and Leeds players down before the match.

“Let’s put it this way Dario played that match for Sutton 47 years ago and would it be fair to send invites out to everyone and not him? The answer to that is clear to me and it’s no.

“If there was a problem with Dario attending, which I’m not sure there is, then he should have said ‘thank you, but I won’t be able to come’.

“We’ve not heard anything from the FA and I don’t expect us to.”

Sutton United went on to dump the West Yorkshire side out of the competition after Jamie Collins sent the keeper the wrong way to claim a 1-0 victory at Gander Green Lane on Sunday, January 29, and a place in the last 16.

The draw for the 5th round will take place at 7.20pm tonight and can be seen on BBC One.