Another scandal in England: Premier League figure offered teenage girl money for sex

A mysterious, high-profile figure in English football arranged ‘sex for cash’ meetings with a teenage girl. She is accused of raping her in her home, leaving her with post-traumatic stress disorder. The Athletic has obtained court documents.

The girl claims that when she was 15, a man who worked in the Premier League invited her to his house in the summer of the 1990s to discuss the opportunity of a lifetime.

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The accused does not admit guilt and any inappropriate relations with a minor, but admits that he asked a 16/17-year-old woman "if she would like to earn some money for sex". Over the course of several years, this became a regular occurrence.

The man’s age cannot be disclosed, nor can any other identifying details. A High Court judge last year issued an anonymity order to protect him from alienation and potential damage to his reputation and financial interests.

The woman, who must also remain anonymous for legal reasons, is seeking compensation for sexual assault and culpable homicide after he showed her around his home and then made her sit on his lap, telling her she was a “good girl” and asking if she was still a virgin. She said she was given a lift to his home by her parents, who were waiting for her outside in the car. She recalled that Wimbledon was on TV at the time.

The man then allegedly put her through a "disgusting and traumatic" ordeal before directing her to the bathroom to clean herself up. He again used the words "good girl" and handed her £150 in three £50 notes.

The girl now suffers from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other problems. She believes she was too scared to report the incident at the time, fearing the potential repercussions and that she and her family would be harmed. She also confirmed that the sexual encounters occurred on a number of occasions over the following years. She maintains that she believed it would provide her with a career opportunity "if she complied with his sexual demands". She also claims that her encounters with the defendant forced her to live with "a stigmatising sense of shame, guilt and failure" and that it took her many years to be able to report the incident to the relevant authorities. The Premier League figure was not arrested, but the case was left on file.

The alleged rapist, who remains anonymous in court documents, vehemently denies the allegations and calls them “unfair and malicious.” In a 17-page defense, which The Athletic has confirmed, he also said the “alleged claim that he may have harmed her or her family is completely without merit.”

The defendant argues that he helped the woman on numerous occasions, offering her financial advice and support in “moments of crisis”. He believes they “enjoyed a friendship” for more than 20 years, but also admits that he initiated a “cash for sex” arrangement when she was 16 or 17. He also testifies that the woman contacted him on numerous occasions in subsequent years, offering sexual services in exchange for money.

"In the vast majority of cases, the defendant rejected the offers, although he engaged in sexual activity with the plaintiff on a total of approximately 15 occasions over the years, for which he rewarded her in cash in line with her expectations," says the anonymous defendant's legal counsel.

"On one occasion the defendant engaged in sexual activity with both the plaintiff and her sister when they were both looking to earn some cash," he added.

Many other details cannot be reported because of anonymity orders. The judge in the case decided there was “no sufficient, countervailing public interest in disclosure.” The defendant is continuing to work as normal while waiting for a Supreme Court date.