Executive at Premier League club wins anonymity in alleged teenage sexual abuse case
A well-known figure in Premier League football has secured a High Court anonymity order after civil action was brought against him for alleged sexual abuse.
The man in question is reportedly being sued for aggravated damages by a woman who claims she was 15 when offences allegedly took place in the 1990s.
However, at a recent London hearing the individual’s lawyers made an application for anonymity for their client which was accepted by the judge.
“The identity of the defendant as a party to these proceedings is confidential and shall not be published,” said an order passed down by the judge.
The judge considered that “non-disclosure of the identity of the defendant is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and in order to protect the interests of the defendant and that there is no sufficient countervailing public interest in disclosure”.
The Athletic, which has been first to report the anonymity order, reported that the figure is accused of sexual abuse and having “committed trespass to the claimant’s person (assault and battery) and intentionally inflicted injury”.
Privacy protections often grant anonymity to suspects in the early stages of a police investigation, but such rules do not normally apply in civil cases.
It is understood the alleged victim in the civil case had contacted the police alleging a rape took place at the man’s house.
However, police informed her she had waited too long to report the matter, because of legislation at the time stating she had to make a complaint within a year.
The Football Association’s safeguarding department has been made aware of the allegations. “We have robust safeguarding measures in place and all referrals into us are handled in line with our policies and procedures,“ read an FA statement. ”We investigate and assess all allegations and concerns about individuals who may pose a risk of harm to children and adults in football and, where applicable, can impose proportionate safeguarding measures in accordance with FA safeguarding regulations. We do not comment on individual cases.”
