Fulham has initiated an investigation to determine if anyone associated with the club was impacted by allegations made against its former owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed.
The allegations, which were detailed in the BBC documentary on Thursday night Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods, involve more than 20 women who accused the late Egyptian billionaire of sexual abuse during his time overseeing department store Harrods and hotel the Ritz.
Al-Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, is alleged to have committed abuses in various locations, including London, Paris, and St Tropez.
Fulham, owned by Al-Fayed between 1997 and 2013, said it is “in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club is, or has been, affected.”
The club acknowledged the severity of the claims in a statement: “We are deeply troubled and concerned to learn of the disturbing reports following yesterday’s documentary. We have sincere empathy for the women who have shared their experiences.
“Should any person wish to share information or experiences relating to these allegations, we encourage them to contact the club at [email protected] or the police.”
During a press conference held by the legal team representing the victims, barrister Maria Mulla addressed potential connections between Fulham and the alleged abuses.
“Yes, we are aware of allegations that have been made at other places of work,” she said.
“We also represent women who were employed by the Ritz.
“We don’t at this stage represent any women who, for instance, sustained attacks at Fulham Football Club.
“But our investigations are obviously ongoing into all these entities that he had an involvement in.”
Al-Fayed purchased Fulham in 1997, with the ambition of propelling the club to the Premier League, a goal he achieved by 2001.
Fulham are now owned by Pakistani-American billionaire Shahid Khan, who bought the club from Al-Fayed in 2013.
(Shaun Curry/AFP via Getty Images)
