Ongoing enquiries into allegations of sexual abuse against former Harrods chairman Mohamed Al Fayed have unearthed new testimony linked to Fulham FC.
Al Fayed, who died aged 94 in August 2023, owned the club between 1997 and 2013.
The original allegations, which were detailed in the BBC documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods involve more than 20 women who accused the late Egyptian billionaire of sexual abuse. He is alleged to have committed abuses in various locations, including London, Paris, and St Tropez.
According to Gloria Allred, one of the barristers representing 37 of Al Fayed’s alleged victims, those allegations include serial rape, attempted rape, sexual battery and sexual abuse of minors.
After the documentary aired last week, fellow barrister Maria Mulla addressed potential connections between Fulham and the alleged abuses by stating that “we don’t at this stage represent any women who, for instance, sustained attacks at Fulham Football Club”.
However, on Thursday afternoon a spokesperson for Justice for Harrods Survivors, the group of barristers representing the victims, confirmed to The Athletic that “several of the new enquiries received since last week’s press conference relate to Fulham Football Club under the period of Al Fayed’s ownership.”
Al Fayed purchased Fulham in 1997, with the ambition of propelling the club to the Premier League, a goal he achieved by 2001.
During his ownership, Al Fayed was a key figure in the development of Fulham Ladies FC, who became professional in 2000. The team won the domestic treble in 2002-03 before folding in 2006, though they have since been refounded and now play in the fifth tier of English football.
Fulham have initiated their own investigation to determine if anyone associated with the club had been impacted.
A Fulham spokesperson said on Thursday: “We remain in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club is or has been affected by the reports concerning Mr Al Fayed.
“In the meantime, should any person wish to share information or experiences on this matter, they may contact the club at safeguarding@fulhamfc.com or the police.”
(Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
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