BBC

A WOMAN who claims she was raped by a Premier League star is one of five people to come forward to say they were sexually abused.The women – whose names have been changed to protect their anonymity – say they were victims of rape, sexual assault or controlling behaviour since April 2021.
A total of five women have come forward to make allegations against the top-flight footballer (stock image)Credit: Getty
‘Leah’ reported the player to the police in July 2022 and he was arrested at his home.
Not long afterwards he was also arrested for an earlier allegation of rape made by ‘Kira’.
Both women claim they were raped by the player and experienced controlling behaviour by him.
‘Kira’ told the BBC: “It was clear that he thought he was that important, you don’t get to say ‘no’ to him.”
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Having made a report to the cops in August 2021, ‘Kira’ then emailed the FA, Premier League and the club regarding the allegations the following month as she was “in desperation” and concerned about the footballer continuing to play while he was being investigated.
She had worries that while he was being promoted by his club, his position would give him access to other women who may not be aware of the allegations against him.
‘Kira’ said: “I hoped that they would intervene in some way to prevent it from maybe happening again.”
The club told her it could not discuss the allegations due to legal reason.
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Shortly afterwards, ‘Kira’ spotted a social media post from the club celebrating the footballer.
Meanwhile, the Premier League directed her to the FA.
It was the response from the FA that she said was the most shocking.
More than four months after she initially contacted the footballing body, it told her in emails that it could take “no further action” as the alleged behaviour did not breach its regulations.
It also said there was “no evidence” to suggest that the player “poses a risk of harm to children or adults at risk”.
The FA also sent her a PDF document called Football’s Safeguarding Children policy” which did not apply to her situation.
‘Kira’ said: “They were hiding behind their lack of policies whilst knowing that the regulations they did have set up were meant to protect profits, not victims.”
Responding to the BBC, the FA said it was comfortable ‘Kira’s complaint had been dealt with appropriately.
A third woman, ‘Mia’ told the corporation the pair had begun chatting after the play had messaged her on Instagram in February 2022.
She visited his house with pals, where she claims he sexually assaulted her.
‘Mai’ reported him to the police in July 2022, having learned that a footballer had been arrested for rape and thought it might be the same person.
She said this made her feel less scared to come forward because she felt she wasn’t alone.
Referring to the club and authorities’ response to the earlier complaint made by ‘Kira’, ‘Mia’ said if the footballer hadn’t still been playing for the club, it would have raised a red flag when he approached her.
‘Mia’ said: “If they had decided to take the first allegation seriously… if they had suspended him, I never would have been in that situation that I was in that day.
“Their decision caused me to suffer.”
The player was questioned by police in February 2023 regarding ‘Mia’s allegation and was released under investigation.
He also remains under police investigation for the rape allegations made by ‘Kira’ and ‘Leah’
It’s thought the player has denied all the allegations.
‘Emma’ has also claimed she experienced controlling behaviour by the player earlier this year, including being pressured to have sex.
She has accused him of forcibly continuing sex by pinning her hands after she tried to push him off because she was in pain.
‘Emma’ recently reported her account to the cops.
She said that when she first started talking to the footballer, she dismissed rumours of allegations against him because he had not been suspended by his club.
‘Emma’ said: “Him playing was the absolute thing that made me think they were fake and not true.
“It sent the message of we don’t believe them and we support him.”
“What happened to me could have been prevented.”
‘Bella’ has also told the BBC that the player forced himself on her at a party by pinning her to a bed and trying to pressure her into have sex, while in a room with others, in April 2021.
The corporation also says it has spoken to someone else who claims they witnessed the incident.
‘Bella’ has not reported what is alleged to have happened to the police.
The footballer’s club and the Premier League both told the broadcaster they were unable to comment due to an ongoing police investigation.
A spokesman for the FA said: “Our safeguarding policies and procedures allow us to support and protect children and adults at risk within a football-related environment.”
In June this year, The Sun revealed a boss of a Premier League side has been quizzed under caution over a historical allegation of rape.
The well-known footballing figure is accused of raping a teenage girl a number of years ago.
He was interviewed under caution but not arrested.
Further enquiries are being carried out before a decision is made whether to charge him or take no further action.
The Sun is unable to identify the man for legal reasons. It is understood he denies the rape claim.
One source told The Sun: “He is shocked by the allegation and totally refutes it.”
The accused man is said to have met the complainant when she applied to work for an organisation he was involved with at the time.
The source stressed it had no connection to the Premier League club the man is currently involved with.
Meanwhile, Manchester United winger Anthony is facing assault allegations from his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin – leading to separate police probes in Sao Paulo and Manchester.
Antony has strongly denied the “false allegations”.
Separately, banker Ingrid Lana, 33, has also accused the World Cup ace of physical violence, claiming an alleged attack took place at Antony’s Manchester home last October.
Antony is on paid leave from Man United until further notice.
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His ex, Cavallin, has accused the Brazilian star of physical aggression towards her on a number of occasions in bombshell claims.
A total of four alleged attacks are described in a police report seen by respected sports news site ESPN.
The footballer remains under police investigation (stock image)Credit: Getty More