Premier League player under investigation for multiple sexual offense claims. © (@ryersonfc)
A Premier League football player is still under investigation by the police after being accused of raping three women and sexually assaulting a fourth. The investigation is based on several claims against the player, who is not named because of privacy laws. Despite the severe accusations, which go back to 2021, Player X has continued to play for his team.
The investigation, confirmed by the BBC, stems from multiple women’s reports between 2021 and 2023. In addition to the accusations already made, Player X was taken into custody by police in July 2022 after one woman reported that he had raped her. A second woman also accused him of rape, with her allegations dating back to August 2021. In February 2023, the player was questioned by police over sexual assault claims made by a third woman.
Despite these allegations, Player X has continued to play, with his club and the governing bodies of English football—the Football Association (FA) and the Premier League—facing criticism for handling the case. The FA has stated that it only takes action when allegations occur within a football-related environment or involve children or vulnerable adults. This limited approach to safeguarding has been criticized, particularly after multiple women accused Player X of serious offences.
The latest development in the case occurred on Thursday, November 7, when Player X attended a police station for questioning under caution. This marked the first time he was formally questioned in connection with a rape allegation made by a fourth woman, bringing renewed attention to the ongoing investigation.
One of the women, identified as Kira, was the first to report Player X to the police in August 2021. She expressed frustration with the process, stating that the prolonged investigation has taken a heavy toll on her mental and physical health. “This investigation, my only chance at justice, has drained me physically and mentally… the longer this investigation drags on, the more my trust in the system fades,” Kira said.
The women involved in the case have expressed dismay over the football authorities’ inaction, claiming that commercial interests were prioritized over the safety and wellbeing of those affected. Kira’s repeated attempts to contact her club and the Premier League have been met with responses that she believes downplayed the severity of the allegations.
In one instance, after contacting the FA, the Premier League, and her club in 2021, Kira was told by the FA that it could take “no further action” as the alleged behaviour did not breach its regulations. The FA also claimed there was “no evidence” to suggest Player X posed a risk to children or adults at risk, despite the nature of the allegations against him. Kira criticized the FA for “hiding behind their lack of policies,” emphasizing that focusing on protecting profits rather than victims was deeply troubling.
Further reports from another woman, Mia, revealed that had Player X been suspended after the first rape allegation in 2021, she believes he would not have sexually assaulted her in a subsequent encounter. “If they had treated the first accusation seriously and suspended him, I would never have ended up in that situation.,” Mia said. She expressed deep anger that the authorities’ delay in taking action had directly contributed to her suffering.
Despite the growing criticism, football bodies, including the FA and Premier League, have insisted that they take sexual misconduct allegations very seriously. However, these bodies have also acknowledged the limitations of their policies. They have guidelines to respond to accusations within the football environment or involving minors and vulnerable adults. These regulations do not extend to allegations of sexual violence that occur outside the football world, leaving a gap in the safeguarding process.
The situation has sparked a broader conversation about how football clubs and governing bodies handle allegations of sexual misconduct. Calls have been made to introduce clear policies on handling players facing such serious allegations, particularly given the celebrity status of top athletes and the potential impact of these cases on public trust.
Dame Caroline Dineage, the head of the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, shared her worries last year about the lack of a solid plan to handle accusations of sexual misconduct. She said, “With the new regulator setting rules, we want it to have the authority to hold clubs accountable for how they handle these issues and to push them to improve equality, diversity, and inclusion in every way.
The case also highlights discrepancies in how different football organizations handle such allegations. In contrast to the UK, the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States have publicly available policies for players accused of sexual or domestic violence. These policies outline clear steps for clubs and organizations to follow when such allegations arise, a practice many advocate for in the UK football system.
In response to the BBC’s questions, the FA explained that its safety rules are meant to help protect children and vulnerable adults in football settings. No matter where an incident happened, if the person involved works in football, the FA carefully reviews the situation to decide if there could be any risk to children. If they find any danger, they take action to keep everyone safe.
The footballer’s club and the Premier League have both refrained from commenting on the ongoing police investigation, citing privacy concerns and legal restrictions. However, the investigation continues, with authorities pledging to support those who have come forward with allegations.
The case of Player X serves as a stark reminder of the need for more transparent, more comprehensive safeguarding policies within professional football and the importance of taking decisive action when allegations of sexual misconduct arise.
