Picture Credit: X
Ronnie Gibbons, former Fulham ladies team captain, has alleged that she was "groped" on two occasions by club’s late owner, Mohamed Al Fayed in 2000. Sharing her experience, she mentioned that the former Harrods boss tried to "forcibly" kiss her at his department store. Gibbons, who was just 20 at that time, even said that she felt trapped inside the room by Fayed. The former Fulham Football Club owner died in 2023.
Following the release of a BBC documentary, 'Al Fayed: Predator At Harrods', which is about the former Harrods owner, the Metropolitan police said on October 11 that they were looking into 40 new complaints against Fayed dating back to 1979, including rape and sexual assault.
Although police have begun "contacting representatives of other organizations linked to" Al Fayed, it wasn't until today that Fulham, the London football team he owned from 1997 to 2013, was connected to his accusations of abuse. Gibbons, now 44, has given up her right to remain anonymous to talk to The Athletic about how Al Fayed took advantage of her when she was a young professional football player.
Want to get rid of shame and embarrassment: Gibbons
Gibbons, a successful defender, led the Fulham squad to win the domestic treble in 2003. She also played for the Republic of Ireland. In an interview with Athletic, she said, "Speaking my truth and finally telling my story will hopefully help me heal and be rid of the shame, embarrassment and pain I have carried for years. If this can help one person open up and realize it’s not your fault and be free of the same burdens, then I’ll be happy.”
Meanwhile, Justice for Harrods Survivors also issued a statement saying, “We salute our client’s bravery and are proud to advocate for Ronnie and others at Fulham who are searching for justice. We will do whatever we can to lift the lid on abuse, no matter where it was perpetrated, or who it was perpetrated by, including any enablers of Al Fayed’s abhorrent behaviour.”
Fulham FC Coach saddened by Gibbon's revelation
The current Fulham FC head coach Marc Silva has also opened up on the shocking revelation made by Ronnie Gibbons, adding that he is saddened by news. “If you ask me, I feel first as a human being, and of course as a manager. Sad news, it is really sad for me, I think all of us to listen to her. As Fulham manager, definitely as a football club, all our empathy is with the situation. We are against all these types of things, all these types of abuse, clearly," he was quoted.
