CPS given file over Premier League footballer rape claims
2025-01-09
Category: sports

The Metropolitan Police has passed a full evidence file about a Premier League footballer accused of rape to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging decision, the BBC has been told.The CPS said it is carefully reviewing the file of evidence in relation to a man, while the Met said it is continuing to investigate following reports of alleged sexual offences between 2021 and 2023.This follows on from a BBC News investigation which spoke to five women who accused the footballer of rape, sexual assault or controlling behaviour.Despite four of those women reporting the man, who we are calling Player X, to the police, he has continued to play for his Premier League club.
One of the women, who we are calling Kira, first reported Player X to the police in August 2021 and is calling on the CPS to prioritise making a charging decision, due to the severe emotional toll the lengthy process has had on her.She previously told the BBC the lack of action from the club and governing body the Football Association (FA) in response to the allegations, after she contacted their safeguarding teams, contributed to her attempting to take her own life."I didn't want to exist in a world where I'm constantly reminded that rape allegations can be ignored as long as you're talented enough," she said.Another woman said they believe if Player X had been suspended by his club or the FA after the first allegation, she would not have gone on to be sexually assaulted.The BBC investigation found seven out of 20 Premier League clubs have had players or bosses investigated by the police for sexual offences since 2020.The FA and Premier League both say they take sexual misconduct very seriously.Player X was first arrested on suspicion of rape in July 2022 following a report from one woman. Shortly afterwards he was also arrested for an earlier allegation of rape from a second woman, 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 third woman.In November 2024 the footballer was further questioned by police about an allegation of rape from 2023 made by a fourth women.Privacy rules regarding the identification of suspects means the BBC is not naming the footballer. The player has denied wrongdoing, the BBC understands.A Metropolitan spokesperson police told the BBC on Wednesday: "A full file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)."Those who have come forward to police continue to receive support from Met officers."The player's club and the Premier League previously told the BBC they were unable to comment on an ongoing police investigation.
What was the FA's response?
After first going to the police in August 2021, Kira emailed the FA, Premier League and the club about her allegations the following month "in desperation", as she was worried about him continuing to play on such a big platform while he was being investigated.The club told her it couldn't discuss her allegations for legal reasons. The Premier League directed her to the FA.More than four months after contacting the FA about her allegations, it told her in emails that it could take "no further action" as the alleged behaviour did not breach its regulations.It stated there was "no evidence" to suggest that Player X "poses a risk of harm to children or adults at risk". It sent her a PDF document that was titled "Football's Safeguarding Children policy" - which did not apply to her."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," says Kira.In July 2024, Kira again approached the club, Premier League and FA - sending them evidence that she was a "vulnerable adult".In an email, seen by the BBC, the club told her they had passed her correspondence onto the Premier League and the FA. The Premier League told her it was unable to discuss allegations currently under police investigation. And the FA, told her it couldn't share any details or updates regarding if any FA interventions have been taken."Further, we refer to our email…where we explained we are not the employer of the individual," it added.Speaking about the response Kira told the BBC their correspondence has "reinforced a devastating message that I don't matter, that more women coming forward doesn't matter, and that even when I meet safeguarding requirements, it will never matter".Another woman - Mia - said she believes if the FA and club had acted when they were first alerted to a rape allegation in 2021, she wouldn't have later gone to the house of Player X where she alleges he sexually assaulted her."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," she told the BBC."Their decision caused me to suffer," she said.While the FA has detailed policies in place for players accused of betting on the game, there isn't anything similar for players accused of sexual or domestic violence that takes place beyond the football environment.Some lawyers in the UK have noted the many legal difficulties facing football clubs when considering how to deal with a player facing allegations of sexual or domestic violence, without overarching rules in place.
A spokesperson 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.""Regardless of where the incident took place, if the individual has a role within football, we always carry out a thorough safeguarding risk assessment and take the appropriate action if we believe there is a risk of harm to children. We are unable to comment on specific cases, but that does not mean that we haven't taken the required action or applied appropriate safeguards within our jurisdiction."
If you have information about this story or abuse within football that you would like to share please get in touch. Email hannah.price@bbc.co.uk.And if you are affected by any of the issues in this story, contact BBC Action Line for details of advice and support.