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Former Fulham women’s team captain Ronnie Gibbons was “sexually assaulted twice by ex-owner Mohamed Fayed in Harrods”.

Former Fulham women’s team captain Ronnie Gibbons was “sexually assaulted twice by ex-owner Mohamed Fayed in Harrods”.

A FORMER captain of Fulham women’s team yesterday revealed she was sexually abused twice by the football club’s ex-owner Mohamed Fayed.

Ronnie Gibbons said the tycoon groped her breast and forced her to sit on his knee after she was left alone with him in Harrods.

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Former Fulham women’s team captain Ronnie Gibbons revealed she was sexually abused twice by the football club’s ex-owner Mohamed FayedPhoto credit: Alamy
Gibbons said the tycoon groped her breast and forced her to sit on his knee

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Gibbons said the tycoon groped her breast and forced her to sit on his kneePhoto credit: Empics

She also claimed he “forcibly” kissed and grabbed her as she tried to leave, making her feel sick.

Her ordeal occurred in the 2000-2001 season after Fayed made Fulham Ladies the first professional women’s team in Europe.

Ronnie said a Fulham employee told her that Fayed, then 71, wanted her to visit Harrods to meet his children and talk about the club.

Ronnie explained: “I was called into his office and it was just him.

Read more about Mohamed Fayed

“He said, ‘Oh, I’m very sorry, there was a security breach and my children couldn’t come’.”

“Then he pulled me close and tried to kiss my mouth.

“He held my arms tightly, kind of a controlling position.”

Former Republic of Ireland star Ronnie, 44, also told The Athletic: “I kind of moved my head so he could only kiss me on the cheek.

“I immediately felt sweat rising on the back of my neck. I froze.

“He sat down on a chair and pulled me on top of him so I was sitting on his lap.

I knew Fayed – he sent Diana unsolicited gifts in a desperate attempt to insinuate himself into her life

“I just felt a lot of responsibility on my shoulders because we had just become professionals.”

Ronnie said Fayed asked her about friends and offered to buy her an apartment and a car.

She tried to change the subject by pointing to a painting of Fayed with the queen.

But she said Fayed responded: “That woman is a slut.”

Fayed tried to kiss her again as she left.

He gave her an envelope containing “£500 to £600 in £50 notes” as well as chocolate, perfume and gifts, she said.

Weeks later she was called to Harrods again where Fayed tried to kiss her on the mouth, put his hand on her leg and groped her breast.

She knocked on the door and after someone opened it from the other side, Fayed angrily pushed it shut.

She refused gifts but he insisted on giving her £100 for a taxi home.

I just felt a lot of responsibility on my shoulders because we had just become professionals

Ronnie

Ronnie added: “I had blonde hair, I was slim, that’s what they called me [David] Beckham of women’s football.

“It was common knowledge what he was like.

“Hopefully, telling my story will help me heal and release the shame and pain I have carried for years.”

Since Fayed died last year at the age of 94, about 500 women have said they were sexually assaulted or raped by him.

Police are investigating 61 reports.

The Justice for Harrods Survivors Group, which represents 116 women, said it would have more to say next week about Fulham, which Fayed owned from 1997 to 2013.

The club said it was “deeply disturbed” by Ronnie’s claims and “unequivocally condemns any abuse”.

Harrods said it was “deeply appalled” by the abuse allegations against Fayed.

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