Leading Premier League figure investigated for alleged rape of two teenage girls
An individual, considered a leading figure in Premier League football, has been investigated over the alleged rape of two teenage girls.
The figure, who has not been named, voluntarily visited a police station in June. He was accompanied by a solicitor for that visit, which related to allegations of a non-recent rape against an individual known as 'Woman A', and was interviewed under caution but not charged.
Now, according to The Athletic, it has emerged that he was simultaneously being investigated by a separate police force for an alleged rape and possible child-sex offence. This relates to an alleged offence in the 1990s against an individual labelled 'Woman B', but a legal anomaly meant the accuser was told she had waited too long to make a report.
The Athletic reports that no further action has been taken in relation to 'Woman B', who was 15 years old at the time. Police are still investigating the case involving 'Woman A', for which the Premier League figure was interviewed in June.
“On Thursday, 23 September, 2021, the Met received a crime report regarding a historic rape allegation,” a Metropolitan Police statement, shared by The Athletic, reads. “On Monday, 12 June, a man (age redacted) was interviewed under caution.”
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The Athletic states that the Met has informed them Woman A, referred to in the statement above, was a teenager at the time of the alleged offence. However, her exact age at the time has not been shared.
The alleged offence relating to Woman B took place under the jurisdiction of a different police force. However, under the Sexual Offences Act 1956, alleged offences between 1956 and 2004, where the alleged victim was a girl aged 13 to 15, need to have been reported within one year.
“Following a complex initial investigation and consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, no arrests were made and no prosecution was pursued,” a statement from the police force associated with Woman B's case read. “No investigation is ever closed and should new lines of enquiry emerge, the investigation could be reviewed.”
The Athletic has also published a statement from the Football Association. The body has the power to suspend those accused of child sex offences, under its safeguarding procedures.
“We have robust safeguarding measures in place, and all referrals in to us are handled in line with our policies and procedures,“ the statement from an FA spokesperson read. ”We investigate and assess all allegations and concerns about individuals who may pose a risk of harm to children and adults in football and, where applicable, can impose proportionate safeguarding measures in accordance with FA safeguarding regulations. We do not comment on individual cases.”
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