Executive at Premier League club in FA safeguarding investigation

A Premier League figure who was previously investigated by police for sex offences is now the subject of a Football Association safeguarding inquiry.

Officers are no longer pursuing a case against the well-known man in England’s top tier, but a referral has been made to the FA to conduct its own investigations.

The safeguarding probe, first reported by the Athletic, emerged after prosecutors decided earlier this year there was not enough evidence to charge him in relation to two women who came forward with complaints.

At least three women reported him to the police over a number of years before all the cases were dropped. The FA said in relation to its own investigations: “We have robust safeguarding measures in place, and all referrals into us are handled in line with our policies and procedures.

“We investigate and assess all allegations and concerns about individuals who may pose a risk of harm to children and adults at risk in football and, where applicable, can impose proportionate safeguarding measures in accordance with FA safeguarding regulations. We do not comment on individual cases.”

Evidence-gathering is understood to have started this week. Allegations raised with police include one that he raped a woman at the man’s house when she was 15 years old. Her complaint was referred to a specialist police unit for investigating sexual offences against under-16s.

However, that case could not be pursued under legislation at the time stating that if the alleged offence took place between 1956 and 2004, and the alleged victim was a girl aged 13 to 15, she had to make a complaint within a year or the case could not proceed.

The governing body’s safeguarding regulations allow it to impose an interim suspension order. This blocks the individual from some or all activity within the game while the investigation is carried out.

The investigation will be led by the FA’s professional game safeguarding manager.