BBCThe Metropolitan Police has despatched the total proof file on a Premier League footballer accused of rape to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging determination, the BBC has been informed.
The CPS stated it was rigorously reviewing the file of proof in relation to at least one particular person, whereas the Met stated it was persevering with to research following studies of alleged sexual offenses between 2021 and 2023.
It strikes from A BBC News investigation In which 5 girls had been spoken to who had accused the footballer of rape, sexual harassment or controlling behaviour.
Despite 4 of the ladies reporting the person, who we're calling Player X, to police, he has continued to play for his Premier League membership.
One of the ladies, who we're calling Kira, first reported Player Has had an impression.
He beforehand informed the BBC that the dearth of motion from the membership and the Football Association (FA) in response to the allegations, when he contacted their safety groups, had contributed to an try on his life.
She stated, “I didn't want to live in a world where I was constantly reminded that rape allegations could be ignored as long as you were talented enough.”
Another lady stated she believed that if Player
A BBC investigation discovered that gamers or house owners of seven of the 20 Premier League golf equipment have been investigated by police for sexual offenses since 2020.
Both the FA and the Premier League say they take sexual misconduct very severely.
Player Shortly after, he was additionally arrested on earlier costs of raping a second lady, who reported him to police in August 2021.
He was questioned by police in February 2023 relating to allegations of sexual harassment made by a 3rd lady.
In November 2024 the footballer was questioned by police a few 2023 rape allegation made by a fourth lady.
Privacy guidelines relating to the id of suspects imply the BBC will not be naming the footballer. The BBC believes the participant has denied wrongdoing.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson informed the BBC on Wednesday: “A full file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
“Those who have come to the police continue to receive support from Met officers.”
The participant's membership and the Premier League beforehand informed the BBC they had been unable to touch upon the continued police investigation.
What was the FA's response?
After first going to the police in August 2021, Kira “in frustration” emailed the FA, the Premier League and the membership the next month about his allegations, as he was involved that he would proceed enjoying on such an enormous stage whereas the investigation was underway. Will maintain. ,
The membership informed him it couldn’t focus on his allegations for authorized causes. The Premier League referred him to the FA.
More than 4 months after she contacted the FA about her allegations, it informed her in an electronic mail that it might take “no further action” because the alleged conduct didn’t breach its guidelines.
It stated there’s “no evidence” that Player X “poses a risk of harm to at-risk children or adults”. It despatched him a PDF doc titled “Football's Child Protection Policy” – which didn’t apply to him.
“They were hiding behind their lack of policies, even though they knew the rules they put in place were designed to protect profits, not victims,” says Kira.
In July 2024, Kira once more contacted the membership, the Premier League and the FA – sending them proof that she was a “vulnerable adult”.
In an electronic mail seen by the BBC, the membership informed him they’d forwarded his correspondence to the Premier League and the FA. The Premier League informed him it was at present unable to debate the allegations pending a police investigation. And the FA informed him it couldn’t share any particulars or updates relating to whether or not any FA intervention had been made.
“Additionally, we refer to our email…where we stated that we are not the individual's employer,” it added.
Speaking in regards to the backlash, Kira informed the BBC that her correspondence “reinforced a destructive message that I don't matter, that more women coming forward doesn't matter, and even when It won't matter if I meet the safety requirements.”
Another lady – Mia – stated she believed that if the FA and the membership had taken motion once they first turned conscious of the rape allegation in 2021, she wouldn’t have gone to Player Where she alleged that he sexually assaulted her.
“If they had decided to take the allegation seriously in the first place… if they had suspended him, I would never have been in the position I was in that day,” she informed the BBC.
“I had to suffer because of his decision,” he stated.
Although the FA has detailed insurance policies for gamers accused of betting on sports activities, there isn’t a such coverage for gamers accused of sexual or home violence that happens exterior the soccer atmosphere.
Some attorneys within the UK have famous the numerous authorized difficulties going through soccer golf equipment once they take into account learn how to take care of a participant going through allegations of sexual or home violence, with out blanket guidelines.
An FA spokesperson stated: “Our safeguarding policies and procedures allow us to support and protect at-risk children and adults in football-related environments.”
“Regardless of the place the incident occurred, if a person has any position in soccer, we at all times perform a radical safeguarding threat evaluation and take acceptable motion if we imagine there’s a threat of hurt to youngsters. “We are unable to comment on specific cases, but that does not mean we have not taken the necessary actions or implemented appropriate safeguards within our jurisdiction.”
And in case you are affected by any of the problems on this story, Contact the BBC Action Line For particulars of recommendation and assist.
With inputs from BBC
