‘A monster’: lawyers for Mohamed Al Fayed’s alleged victims liken case to Savile
GuardianSep 21
Al Fayed Scandal: New Allegations Linked to Fulham FC
Above: An image of Mohamed Al Fayed is shown on the big screen prior to the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Luton Town at Craven Cottage on Sept. 16, 2023 in London, England. Image copyright: Steve Bardens/Stringer/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
The Facts
The late Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of both British department store Harrods and soccer team Fulham FC, is facing new allegations of sexual abuse related to his ownership of the soccer club from 1997-2013.
The legal group Justice for Harrods Survivors, which already represents 60 alleged victims, said that they have now received over 200 inquiries from additional victims on accusations including serial rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse of minors.
The Spin
Narrative A
Mohamed Al Fayed will go down as among the most notorious abusers in recent history. His money and power, particularly as the owner of Harrods, allowed him to build a dangerously toxic work environment where he could abuse women with impunity. It's tragic that due to this power, his victims only felt capable of speaking up after his death.
Narrative B
This case goes beyond a toxic work environment and to the top of British society. It's no wonder that the man who had financial ties to members of parliament and had a relationship with the former Duke of Windsor was never prosecuted. Women were likely kept quiet not just by their powerful boss but by the entire upper echelon of British society — this is an issue of deep systemic abuse.