Former Fulham captain Ronnie Gibson says ex-club owner sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions.

Content warning: this article contains mentions of sexual assault.

The recent accusations by Gibbons, against the late businessman and former Fulham FC owner Mohamed Al Fayed, are bringing renewed attention to historic abuses of power by prominent figures. Gibbons alleges she was sexually assaulted by Al Fayed on two occasions, shedding light on what is alleged to be a broader pattern of abuse by the former owner of the Harrods department store. This revelation highlights the systemic nature of the exploitation of women and abuse of power, even in high-profile sports.

Gibbons’ claims are not isolated, they add to a growing list of accusations from women who have come forward with similar allegations against Al Fayed. Earlier this month, London police reported that they had received reports from 40 women, adding to 21 other accusations of sexual misconduct by Al Fayed since 2005. Despite the mounting allegations, Al Fayed was never prosecuted and passed away in 2023 at the age of 94.

For Gibbons, the choice to speak out now is deeply personal and serves as an attempt to confront trauma that has haunted her for years. She described the incidents to The Athletic, earlier this month, as ''demeaning'' and ''traumatic'' experiences that impacted her both emotionally and psychologically. At just 20, Gibbons recalls feeling compelled to accept invitations to Al Fayed's office, where she believed she would meet his children to discuss football. According to her, these encounters instead became opportunities for Al Fayed to subject her to unwanted advances, including forced kissing and inappropriate physical contact.

Fulham Football Club’s response to Gibbons’ claims has been one of support and sympathy. The club stated it was "profoundly troubled" by the reports and expressed solidarity with Gibbons and others affected. Fulham is reportedly assessing if any current or former members of the club might have been impacted by Al Fayed’s behaviour. This public stance marks a significant shift in the club’s approach to addressing past issues associated with its former ownership.

Ronnie Gibbons, now a 44-year-old retired footballer, coming forward with her story represents a significant step forward for women in sports and beyond. Her courage in breaking years of silence serves as a powerful example of the progress we are making as a society, where women can feel less shame about sharing their experiences with harassment and abuse.