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Allegations Against Former Fulham Owner Mohamed Al Fayed
Ronnie Gibbons, the former captain of Fulham Ladies, has come forward with serious allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed, the late owner of Fulham FC, claiming she was sexually assaulted on multiple occasions. Gibbons, who was only 20 at the time of the incidents in 2000, detailed her experience in an interview with The Athletic.
According to Gibbons, during a visit to Harrods, the luxury department store owned by Al Fayed, he attempted to forcibly kiss her. “He pulled me in close and tried to kiss me on the mouth,” she recounted, emphasizing the vulnerability she felt as he held her arms, dominating the situation. Gibbons expressed that she carried a significant burden stemming from her experience, stating, “Speaking my truth and finally telling my story will hopefully help me heal and be rid of the shame, embarrassment and pain I have carried for years.”
Following Gibbons’s revelation, the Justice for Harrods Survivors group announced that they represent several former Fulham players in similar claims of abuse. Fulham FC responded to Gibbons’s allegations, expressing deep concern for her experiences and indicating that the club is investigating the potential impact of Al Fayed’s actions on anyone associated with the club.
Al Fayed owned Fulham FC from 1997 until 2013, a period during which the women’s team, known then as Fulham Ladies, became the first female team in Europe to turn professional in 2000. Gibbons recalled how, after being driven to Harrods by club staff, she found herself alone with Al Fayed, who was then in his 70s. On a separate occasion that summer, she indicated that Al Fayed groped her as he was saying goodbye, making unsettling remarks meant to diminish her fear.
Fulham FC has categorically condemned abuse in all forms and is currently in the process of determining whether any members of the club were affected by Al Fayed’s behavior, as outlined in recent reports. The club also stated their support for Gibbons and others who have come forward.
Recent developments have revealed a surge in allegations against Al Fayed. The Metropolitan Police have reported receiving 40 new claims, including sexual assault and rape, following a BBC documentary and podcast that recounted testimonies from former Harrods employees. Since the documentary aired in September, an additional 65 women have reached out to share their stories of abuse that date back as far as 1977.
Concerns About Safety and Preventive Measures
Amid these allegations, Gaute Haugenes, the former manager of Fulham’s women’s team, acknowledged that precautions were implemented during his tenure to safeguard female players from Al Fayed, although he reflected on the naivety of believing that Al Fayed wouldn’t pose a threat due to his age at the time.
These incidents have ignited discussions around the broader systemic issues within women’s football. Yvonne Harrison, CEO of Women in Football, highlighted the importance of safeguarding players: “It brings to the fore the prevalence of power imbalances and the risks faced by women in the industry, both on and off the pitch.”
The Justice for Harrods Survivors group denounced the abuse Gibbons faced, describing it as a stark example of the misconduct that can occur when individuals in positions of power exploit their influence. They pledged their commitment to advocacy for Gibbons and others seeking justice.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Harrods expressed their dismay, stating the actions attributed to Al Fayed were intolerable and acknowledging the failures faced by his victims during his ownership.
Source
www.bbc.com