Ex-Fulham women's manager says staff made sure female players were never left alone with owner Mohamed Al Fayed after they realised he 'liked young, blonde girls'

Ex-Fulham women's manager says staff made sure female players were never left alone with owner Mohamed Al Fayed after they realised he 'liked young, blonde girls' By Dan Woodland Published: 02:12, 21 September 2024 | Updated: 02:24, 21 September 2024 e-mail View comments A former manager of Fulham has revealed that staff made sure female players were never left alone with owner Mohamed Al Fayed. The Egyptian businessman, who has been accused of raping five women, bought the west London club for a reported £30million in 1997, over a decade after he became the owner of luxury retail outlet Harrods. But it was during the early 2000s that staff reportedly became aware that the late billionaire 'liked young, blonde girls', which prompted them to put measures in place to protect some of the female players, according to the BBC .

Gaute Haugenes, who managed the team from 2001 to 2003, told the broadcaster that women were kept away from Al-Fayed to make 'sure that situations couldn't occur'. He added that it was not a 'biggest surprise' to hear of the rape accusations against Al-Fayed, who is also accused of sexual assault by more than 15 women. Mohamed Al Fayed, who died last year aged 94, is accused of raping and assaulting multiple women during his time as Harrods owner from 1985 to 2010.

He is seen here unveiling a statue in tribute to Michael Jackson at Craven Cottage on April 3, 2011 Mohamed Al-Fayed stands in front of the east stand of Craven Cottage, in 1997 - the same year .