Cult gave drug talk at Spurs

The Sun, UK/October 1, 2012

Tottenham Hotspur invited Scientologists in to preach to players, The Sun can reveal.

A representative of the cult gave young stars a seminar on the dangers of drugs.

Scientology charity Narconon has also been boasting online how it paid visits to Bolton Wanders, Oldham Athletic and Rochdale.

Narconon's latest newsletter describes how Scientologist Simon Gauci, 45, visited the clubs while wife Helen raised funds.

The Sun revealed last month how Narconon told how secret Scientologists working for Narconon had tricked their way into primary schools posing as drugs campaigners while parents were kept in the dark.

It has also bragged of support from a string of High Street names and bagged cash from the Queen's bank, Coutts.

In issue 21 of the Narconon newsletter, Challenge UK, the charity says: "Over the years he (Simon) has also delivered the lecture to juniors in the following football clubs: Tottenham Hotspurs, Oldham Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Rochdale FC.

"In all he has probably reached over 20,000 children with the truth about drugs."

Helen, also 45, is credited with bagging more than £28,599 from charitable trusts to support Narconon's work.

Tottenham admitted last night: "The Club was given a free introductory presentation by Narconon over four years ago and we did not proceed with them."

Bolton, Oldham and Rochdale said they had no record of alleged visits by Gauci or Narconon.

An Oldham spokesman said: "The only seminars on drug education – there have been several - have been given by Sporting Chance and which were put on through League Football Education which deals with such educational matters on behalf of all clubs.

"I will be taking up the matter further with Narconon. Thank you for bringing the matter to our attention."

Narconon uses "technologies" nurtured by the Church of Scientology - whose followers include Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and John Travolta - to help people overcome addiction.

Scientologists believe humans are haunted by the spirits of aliens massacred with hydrogen bombs on Earth 75million years ago, as taught by the cult's founder, sci-fi author L. Ron Hubbard.

Narconon was founded by the late William Benitez who turned to Scientology while in prison on drugs offences.

The charity confirmed Helen and Simon Gauci were Scientologists but was unable to confirm whether prospective clients were told of their links to the cult.

A Narconon spokeswoman said: "The statements in the newsletter regarding the lectures given by Simon Gauci to juniors of various football clubs is entirely accurate.

"He is an extremely good lecturer who has probably helped hundreds, if not thousands, of British children to avoid a drug habit.

"Obviously because Narconon utilises the work of L. Ron Hubbard it is supported by members of the Church of Scientology."

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