As our popular legal helpline continues to receive enquiries concerning the Mohamed Al-Fayed abuse scandal, Stacy Matheson looks at the allegations that are being made against the late businessman in his capacity as former Fulham Football Club owner.
Following recent allegations of the late Egyptian businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed’s bribery of Metropolitan Police officers (https://www.sleeblackwell.co.uk/legal-articles/mohamed-al-fayed-scandal) and sexual abuse allegations at Harrods (https://www.abusecompensation.co.uk/news-articles/harrods-abuse-compensation.html), allegations have emerged relating to the sexual assault of women at Fulham Football Club.
Mohamed Al-Fayed was the owner of Fulham Football Club between 1997 and 2013, and was heavily involved investing in Fulham Ladies (as it was known then) in the early 2000s.
It has been alleged that that Al-Fayed invited one female Fulham player to his Harrods office twice to discuss football with his children. Upon arriving no children were present on either occasion. Al-Fayed tried to kiss her, holding her arms down by her side before sitting on a chair and pulling the player onto his lap. He is reported to have also stroked and groped the woman during these encounters, before giving her Harrods gifts and money.
These allegations illustrate how Mohamed Al-Fayed may have used his position as owner of Fulham Football Club to sexually assault his victims, and his use of intimidation, gifts and money to avoid being brought to justice for his crimes.
These allegations also raise further questions around the safeguarding of football players by their clubs at all levels from grassroots to professional level; an issue that we have been campaigning about for almost a decade. You can read our 2016 article on abuse in football and sport here.
If you have been the victim of the Mohamed Al-Fayed abuse scandal or have suffered abuse while being involved in football, then our team of recommended Legal 500 abuse lawyers is here to help. We operate a free confidential legal helpline and work on a No Win, No Fee basis.