The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is now reviewing a full file of evidence produced by the Metropolitan Police about an unnamed Premier League footballer accused of rape. The police have been continuing their investigation into alleged sexual offenses that occurred between 2021 and 2023. Five women have accused the footballer – referred to in media reports as Player X – of sexual assault, rape, or controlling behavior. However, despite four of the women providing information to the police, the footballer has continued to play for his club.
Kira, one of the women who reported Player X to the police back in August 2021, is calling for the CPS to prioritize a charging decision due to the severe emotional impact it has had on her. The BBC previously reported that her attempts to report incidents to the club and to the governing body, the Football Association (FA), were met with a lack of support. This inaction has been seen by some as contributing to her trying to take her own life.
In response to the investigation, Player X was first arrested in July 2022 for allegations of rape before then being arrested again in November 2024 for the same charge following claims made by a fourth woman. Player X was also questioned in February 2023 for alleged sexual assault accusations made by a third woman. These allegations continue to be denied.
The BBC investigation also revealed that seven out of the UK’s 20 Premier League clubs had employees, including players and managers, investigated by the police for sexually related offenses since 2020. Both the Premier League and the FA have said that they take sexual misconduct very seriously.
While the FA has detailed policies for those accused of illegal betting or gambling within the sport, there is not a similar policy in place for those accused of sexual or domestic violence that occurred outside of the sport. Consequently, some legal experts believe that there are many difficulties facing football clubs when trying to manage players who face allegations of sexual or domestic violence without overarching rules in place
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