CPS given file over Premier League footballer rape claims

The Metropolitan Police has handed a full proof file a couple of Premier League footballer accused of rape to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging resolution, the PJ has been advised.

The CPS stated it’s rigorously reviewing the file of proof in relation to a person, whereas the Met stated it’s persevering with to research following stories of alleged sexual offences between 2021 and 2023.

This follows on from a PJ News investigation which spoke to 5 girls who accused the footballer of rape, sexual assault or controlling behaviour.

Regardless of 4 of these girls reporting the person, who we’re calling Participant X, to the police, he has continued to play for his Premier League membership.

One of many girls, who we’re calling Kira, first reported Participant X to the police in August 2021 and is looking on the CPS to prioritise making a charging resolution, because of the extreme emotional toll the prolonged course of has had on her.

She beforehand advised the PJ the shortage of motion from the membership and governing physique the Soccer Affiliation (FA) in response to the allegations, after she contacted their safeguarding groups, contributed to her making an attempt to take her personal life.

“I did not need to exist in a world the place I am continuously reminded that rape allegations may be ignored so long as you are proficient sufficient,” she stated.

One other lady stated they imagine if Participant X had been suspended by his membership or the FA after the primary allegation, she wouldn’t have gone on to be sexually assaulted.

The PJ investigation discovered seven out of 20 Premier League golf equipment have had gamers or bosses investigated by the police for sexual offences since 2020.

The FA and Premier League each say they take sexual misconduct very critically.

Participant X was first arrested on suspicion of rape in July 2022 following a report from one lady. Shortly afterwards he was additionally arrested for an earlier allegation of rape from a second lady, who reported him to the police in August 2021.

He was questioned by police in February 2023 about allegations of sexual assault made by a 3rd lady.

In November 2024 the footballer was additional questioned by police about an allegation of rape from 2023 made by a fourth girls.

Privateness guidelines relating to the identification of suspects means the PJ isn’t naming the footballer. The participant has denied wrongdoing, the PJ understands.

A Metropolitan spokesperson police advised the PJ on Wednesday: “A full file has been handed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

“Those that have come ahead to police proceed to obtain assist from Met officers.”

The participant’s membership and the Premier League beforehand advised the PJ they have been unable to touch upon an ongoing police investigation.

After first going to the police in August 2021, Kira emailed the FA, Premier League and the membership about her allegations the next month “in desperation”, as she was nervous about him persevering with to play on such an enormous platform whereas he was being investigated.

The membership advised her it could not focus on her allegations for authorized causes. The Premier League directed her to the FA.

Greater than 4 months after contacting the FA about her allegations, it advised her in emails that it might take “no additional motion” because the alleged behaviour didn’t breach its laws.

It said there was “no proof” to counsel that Participant X “poses a danger of hurt to youngsters or adults in danger”. It despatched her a PDF doc that was titled “Soccer’s Safeguarding Youngsters coverage” – which didn’t apply to her.

“They have been hiding behind their lack of insurance policies while realizing that the laws they did have arrange have been meant to guard income, not victims,” says Kira.

In July 2024, Kira once more approached the membership, Premier League and FA – sending them proof that she was a “weak grownup”.

In an e-mail, seen by the PJ, the membership advised her they’d handed her correspondence onto the Premier League and the FA. The Premier League advised her it was unable to debate allegations presently below police investigation. And the FA, advised her it could not share any particulars or updates relating to if any FA interventions have been taken.

“Additional, we confer with our e-mail…the place we defined we’re not the employer of the person,” it added.

Talking in regards to the response Kira advised the PJ their correspondence has “bolstered a devastating message that I do not matter, that extra girls coming ahead would not matter, and that even after I meet safeguarding necessities, it is going to by no means matter”.

One other lady – Mia – stated she believes if the FA and membership had acted after they have been first alerted to a rape allegation in 2021, she would not have later gone to the home of Participant X the place she alleges he sexually assaulted her.

“If they’d determined to take the primary allegation critically… if they’d suspended him, I by no means would have been in that state of affairs that I used to be in that day,” she advised the PJ.

“Their resolution brought about me to undergo,” she stated.

Whereas the FA has detailed insurance policies in place for gamers accused of betting on the sport, there is not something comparable for gamers accused of sexual or home violence that takes place past the soccer surroundings.

Some attorneys within the UK have famous the various authorized difficulties dealing with soccer golf equipment when contemplating how you can take care of a participant dealing with allegations of sexual or home violence, with out overarching guidelines in place.

A spokesperson for the FA stated: “Our safeguarding insurance policies and procedures enable us to assist and shield youngsters and adults in danger inside a football-related surroundings.”

“No matter the place the incident happened, if the person has a task inside soccer, we all the time perform a radical safeguarding danger evaluation and take the suitable motion if we imagine there’s a danger of hurt to youngsters. We’re unable to touch upon particular instances, however that doesn’t imply that we’ve not taken the required motion or utilized acceptable safeguards inside our jurisdiction.”

And if you’re affected by any of the problems on this story,contact PJ Action Line for particulars of recommendation and assist.