Allegations against Al Fayed didn’t come as ‘biggest surprise’: former manager says staff aware about owner’s interest in ‘young, blond girls’ – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Fulham football team’s female players were “protected” from the club’s late billionaire owner after the staff became aware of his interest in ‘young, blond girls’, said Gaute Haugenes, the former manager of team from 2001 to 2003, and added that the allegations did not come as “the biggest surprise.”
Haugenes recently spoke to the BBC about the club’s late owner Mohamed Al Fayed and revealed that the staff members took steps to ensure that “situations couldn’t occur” and that they “protected the players”.
These revelations come in the wake of a BBC documentary, “Al Fayed: Predator At Harrods”, which aired on Thursday night. In the documentary, more than 20 women who had worked at Harrods came forward with allegations of assault and physical violence by Fayed at properties in London and Paris.
Five women have alleged that they were raped by Fayed, while others have alleged sexual misconduct took place while they worked at the luxury department store, which was previously owned by Fayed.
Fulham, the football club bought by Fayed in 1997, is currently trying to establish whether any of its staff members have been affected by the alleged misconduct. The club has urged individuals with experiences or information related to the allegations to contact them or the police.
Meanwhile today, a legal team representing women alleging rape and sexual assault said it received over 150 new enquiries, including from women accusing the former Harrods owner.
The legal team representing 37 women accusing Fayed of sexual abuse confirmed to AFP that new inquiries had been received, which included a “mix of survivors and individuals with evidence” about Fayed. The allegations involve girls as young as 15 and 16 at the time of the alleged assault, with lawyers comparing the scale and nature of the case to claims made against disgraced individuals like Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein.
Over a span of 25 years, the legal team is bringing claims against Harrods for facilitating the “systematic abuse” of its employees, many of whom were hired as Fayed’s personal assistants and secretaries. The accusers allege that assaults occurred at Fayed’s apartments in London, residences in Paris, and during trips abroad, ranging from Saint-Tropez to Abu Dhabi.
Harrods, which Fayed sold in 2010, expressed its utter appalment at the allegations and confirmed that it had also received new inquiries following the BBC investigation. The department store’s website now features a form for victims to complete, stating that it has an “established process” for those affected to seek compensation.
Additionally, the legal team disclosed that they are also representing women who were employed by the Ritz hotel, another property previously owned by the mogul.
A spokesperson for Fulham expressed the club’s deep concern and empathy for the women who have shared their experiences, stating, “We are in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club is or has been affected. Should any person wish to share information or experiences relating to these allegations, we encourage them to contact the club at safeguarding@fulhamfc.com or the police.”
At a news conference on Friday, lawyers representing Fayed’s accusers expressed their suspicion that there may be more victims from other places where Fayed worked. Barrister Maria Mulla stated, “Wherever he went, there will be victims.” Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, had also owned the Ritz in Paris since 1979 and sold Harrods in 2010.