Premier League club slammed by women’s groups as player accused of rape STILL in first team despite fresh allegations

A PREMIER League club has been slammed for allowing a footballer accused of rape to play in the first team still despite fresh allegations.

Legal experts and Women’s Aid have accused the team of being “complicit in minimising violence against women” while the player still appears in the starting 11.

GettyThe footballer has not been suspended by the club[/caption]

It comes after The Sun revealed that a third victim has come forward to claim she was sexually assaulted by the International star in February last year.

The player, who was taken to the 2022 World Cup, spent hours being questioned under caution at a police station following the new allegation.

He has already been accused of raping two women in separate attacks, one in June last year and one in April 2021.

Teresa Parker, head of media relations for Women’s Aid, told the Mirror: “As a club, lacking clear guidelines around allegations of rape and domestic abuse runs the risk of becoming complicit in minimising violence against women.

“Ignoring it isn’t a neutral action – it has an effect.

“The way a club responds not only affects those involved and the message they get from the club, but also messages that fans received about what is acceptable.

“Clubs must implement guidelines for when players or employees are arrested, or allegations made.”

The team has come under fire for allowing the footballer to play still while he is on bail.

They have refused to comment on the allegations so far despite growing fury online.

Adam Pavey, partner in the Beyond Corporate specialist legal firm, told the newspaper: “I think suspension is the initial act of an employer.

“You are not saying whether they have done anything or not. You are still innocent until proven guilty.

“But you have your female employees to consider, and that may involve a women’s team as well. I was amazed when I saw that they had not done that.”

The footballer was held last July after police swooped on a home in North London.

His first alleged victim, in her 20s, claimed she was raped during a break in the Med in June.

She fled the five-star resort she was staying in and flew home to her friends and family, it is said.

The woman is understood to have spoken to police on her return to the UK and showed photos she claimed highlighted bruising on her body after the alleged attack.

After his initial arrest he was later re-arrested on suspicion of two more counts from April and June 2021.

The June allegation was later dropped by police.

He had been due to answer police bail this month but this was extended for a third time until early July.

Scotland Yard said: “On 4 July 2022, an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police.

“It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022. On 4 July, a man was arrested at an address on suspicion of rape and taken into custody.

“While in custody, he was further arrested on suspicion of two incidents of rape that were alleged to have been committed in April and June of 2021 against a different woman in her 20s.

“In February 2023, the man was interviewed under caution for a sexual offence alleged to have taken place in Barnet in February 2022. This relates to a third victim and was reported to police in July 2022.

“No further action will be taken in relation to the alleged offence in June 2021 because the relevant legislation had not yet come into effect at the time it is said to have occurred.

“This has been explained to the complainant who continues to be supported by officers.”