The police released a statement this week,
‘ On 4th July, an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20’s was reported to police. It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022. On 4 July, a 29-year-old man was arrested at an address in Barnet on suspicion of rape and taken into custody.
‘While in custody, he was further arrested on suspicion of two incidents of rape that were alleged to have been committed in April and June of 2021 against a different woman in her 20’s.
He has been released on bail to a date in August’
The media have since claimed there is a source that proves that the 29-year-old in question is a Premiership and International Footballer.
It has led to some on the internet putting together a shortlist of who’s that age, lives in North London and if they have travelled with their employers for any pre-season trips. If not, then why not?
My moral compass doesn’t feel the need to add to the rumours or allegations by naming names.
What I feel the need is to try and educate that next generation of Gooner who continues to be let down by grown adults who think in the confines of football you can say anything you want too.
I love the sport but it’s not everything to me, it’s not more important then what’s right and wrong.
Two things are happening right now….
Someone has been abused and has shown the courage to tell her truth, or an individual is being falsely accused and having his name slandered.
Either will be unimaginable hell to live with, will impact their families and is an ordeal that will last a lifetime.
It’s an accusation that should make us think, question the world and if anything, trivialise football.
Yet I have read how if the gossip is accurate, how it will impact our midfield, how we don’t have the squad depth to cope, how it might mean Xhaka stays a while longer, etc.
I even read how it’s hoped that the accused plays for Spurs and how that would help our top 4 bid.
First of all, there is zero us.
Because if your first thought is how an accusation of rape could impact on a club’s chance of getting three points your not a true fan.
If you’re wishing the allegation on a certain player to gain a sporting advantage, then your priorities are upside down.
If you’re using a very serious accusation as some sort of banter, then you need to get a life.
You can defend your club even after a 3-0 defeat if you want.
You can choose to call 5th progress just because you want to be positive for the sake of it.
You can defend the Kroenkes purely because you can’t have anything negative about the club.
What you can’t do is take a real-life crime that impacts human beings and somehow even spin that to make it about Arsenal.
If this 29-year-old man is found guilty, he is sick and vile and deserves everything that is coming his way.
I don’t care who he plays for or how that impacts any specific club.
My thoughts and prayers are with the young girl.
Unfortunately, too many of my peers, thoughts and feelings went straight to how this impacts them on a football pitch.
Sad when you think about it.
Football is a beautiful game but it’s just that, a game.
————————————————————–
Rape and sexual abuse helplines
For Women (See below for Rape, Sexual Abuse & Personal Safety Abroad)
NHS
Help after rape and sexual assault
Sexual Abuse Referral Centres – Find a SARC
Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to get help.
SARCs are specialist medical and forensic services for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. They aim to be one-stop service, providing the following under one roof: medical care and forensic examination following assault/rape and, in some locations, sexual health services. Medical Services are free of charge and provided to women, men, young people and children.
Rape Crisis
Helpline: 0808 802 9999 (12-2.30 & 7-9.30)
rapecrisis.org.uk
Live chat helpline
National Organisation offering support and counselling for those affected by rape and sexual abuse.
See website for local groups or contact directory enquiries.
Victim Support
Support line: 08 08 16 89 111
Rape and sexual assault
Our services are confidential, free and available to anyone who’s been raped or sexually assaulted, now or in the past. We can help, regardless of whether you have told the police or anyone else about the attack. Our volunteers can visit you at home (if you want us to, and if doing so will not put you at further risk) or somewhere else if you prefer. If you don’t want to see anyone face-to-face, you can also talk to us on the ‘phone, either at one of our local offices or at the national Victim Support line.
Be Kind in the Comments
Dan
Beautiful article..
Very rational, balanced and mature..
I sometimes don’t know what’s wrong with us men, we get in relationships but always looking outside for more thrills.. Get married but still acting like s@xually frustrated teenage boys.. No wonder we get in such troubles..
Us men ?
Real men don’t do that .
Only the immature, bad and frustrated ones do it. Many people can’t live modestly and be thankful for what they’ve got
Great article and echo everything said, so nothing to add in that regard.
Now I could be totally wrong and would therefore immediately ‘hold my hands up’ metaphorically speaking, if proved not to be the case but I don’t think it is beyond the realms of possibility that there was a decision to leave him behind for footballing reasons i.e related to injury/fitness. However were he not to be on the plane for the US preseason tour, where the main body of work will be done in order to prepare the squad for the new season, only then would I start to be really concerned about the whole situation.
That aside I will no longer comment on this situation even in response to those who have disappointmently, sadly jumped to damning conclusions regarding said player without knowing the facts.
I hear you. I was in the same boat until I read that someone tweeted that Arsenal supporters should expect bad news and not to see one of our players playing for us again hours before the news broke out.
Whoever he is I hope justice will be harsh on him if proven guilty.
If he is ours my sympathies to the victims, the supporters and the management. Its a nasty thing to be associated with.
Really great article Mr Negative as usual. I applaud your writing and the scope of your thinking.
Wonderful article Dan…it baffles me how grown men jump into conclusion …..
Excellent article that in an ideal world should not need to be written! Really puts things in context.
Brilliant article and am impressed by the writer priority.
It’s really saddens that majority of the reactions focus on the accused and not the victim.
@Dan
Much respect Gooner…👍🏾
Well said and well written Dan 👏
Let’s wait and let the facts come out regarding the player and the case. Innocent until proven guilty, Let’s keep that in mind.
Speculating on transfers is one thing, but irresponsible when it involves allegations and possible criminal activity.
Let’s wait for the facts please. Perhaps I am being a bit lawyer-ish, but speculation is irresponsible and dangerous.
Well said!
What if the accuser is found to have fabricated the story?
Would they be accused of being vile and sick?
Who would be the victim then?
Would your prayers and thoughts be with the person who’s name and reputation has been dragged through the media?
I have no idea what the truth is, but there are many cases where people have tried to destroy the lives of others by making false accusations – the Depp /Heard trial immediately comes to mind, along with the awful Cliff Richard example just for starters.
Of course, if the accusations are proven to be true, then your article will be absolutely correct – as the father of two daughters, I would want to see monsters who prey on women put away for life and castrated as further and complete punishment for their animal behaviour – make no mistake about that!!!!
There are so many cases that have shown certain men to be in that catagory, but Dan kit’s reply at 1.32 above is so pertinent to the discussion, especially if these accusations are found to be false.
However, the penalty for bringing false allegations is nowhere near enough punishment in my view.
Mud sticks as they say and autonomy for the falsely accusing person (once that has been proven to be the case) somehow never seems to be part of a proper punishment, after destroying another person’s life.
The real punishment that should be handed down, must be in line with that which would have been given, if the accused has been found guilty.
I totally agree that this should have nothing to do with football – that is completely irrelevant.
Shame on those who view it as an opportunity to see it as such.
Finally, I note that there is not one link in the article for help to those who have been wrongly accused and wonder why that is so?
It seems as if a judgement has already been made, simply by the omission of such links.
I do hope that anyone who reads my response and decides to comment, does so after digesting EVERYTHING that I am saying.
Great comment Ken, sometimes the allegedly criminal professional actually is the victim. It has happened enough times not to be discounted.
I don’t know the facts, but I’m sure the authorities are looking into all scenarios. Jumping to conclusions either way is reckless, so I agree let’s wait for the facts.
Heinous situation, and the guilty party should suffer the same consequences, whomever the perpetrator turns out to be.
A balanced and well put response to the article Ken, there is always more than one victim in a case where it’s she said he said.
Not sure guys
I clearly state either two things are happening , someone is telling their truth or someone is wrongly accused and bring slandered
Being
I hope the girls are telling the truth. As Mark Twain said, “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything”.
Because if they’re not telling the truth, they have may have destroyed the career and life of one male footballer.
As Churchill said, “A lie gets halfway around the world before truth has a chance to get it’s pants on”.
Hi Ken
I think your views are very valid
Unfortunately there are more sexual crimes committed by men rather then false allegations.
The process is not full proof and I truly sympathise with people which means men and women who have been wrongly accused of crimes they have not committed
BUT
We need to as human beings be respectful and decent.
If someone says no, no matter how far down the road you may be then you stop.
As a father to a daughter and husband I worry at times when they are out on there own at night as I know and you know how some men behave and especially fuelled by alchol or substance or peer pressure.
Apologises for the rant and I could go on for ages on this subject but at the end of the day
Some times the punishment is not enough as a deterrent
If found guilty and I dont care which team he may play for then the book should be thrown at him and if I had my way
Castration would be added.
AB – Completely agree, but I felt the article was unbalanced and certainly accusational to the “defendant” whoever that might be!!
I’m not saying anything other than we should wait, not be judgemental, give a really harsh sentence if found guilty and the same response if the charge is found to be false with regards to the accuser.
Well said bro
As Admin Pat has reminded us so many times,JA is a site about Arsenal and topics like politics, religion….have no place on here,so we cannot talk about the legal process,the victims and others things which leave us the “potential”sporting impact on our team IF the player in question is in fact one of ours.it doesn’t mean that we do not care about the victims whomever they are,be it the women or the wrongly accused player.
Very well written article. I can not agree more on the point that what is wrong and right comes first before football. I think more then fans it’s the clubs who are at fault for it. When it fits them then they will bring politics and ethics into game but if they think raising voice against something is going to put a dent on their wallet then they stop ppl from doing it basing their argument that we are non political sports entity.
Standing ovation this article deserves!!
A nice article that comes from a very good place.
I will just add one thing. Speaking personally, the desire that the perpetrator be from another club comes more from the fact that I want my club to be a symbol of good. I’m proud of the work Arsenal do for the community, and of the humility and togetherness that our players show. Of course, if one of our boys committed such atrocious acts, it would be difficult to square that hole. I remember when Arsenal’s part in the super cup emerged; had it gone ahead, I swore to switch teams as support for any entity should be conditional on some sort of moral red lines.
Anyway, this shouldn’t detract from any of the sentiments expressed 🙂
absolutely agree, from my narrow selfish view I am thinking of Arsenal.
Regardless of who is the suspect (and we have to remember that this isn’t a verdict), there is a victim or victims.
Great article!
Well, for anyone who wishes it’s not Arsenal but the ‘other side of the road’, it’s pure selfish interest on Arsenal and not a mind that thinks it’s a good thing. I believe we won’t find any of such people say it’s a good thing what the fella has done, if truly found guilty.
Thoughts go out to whoever the actual victim is. I hope the villian is immensely compensated with loads of punishment, either way.
Good article Dan. Our selfish interest as fans is the least important aspect of this crime.
Lets trade Partey with Son
It’s a footballing site. Of course we would talk about the implications of the football team first. We have zero information on the victims, there’s not much to say about that besides hoping the truth comes to light and justice is served. I don’t think being concerned about Arsenal negates the concern about the women. This is Arsenal news tho, and obviously our minds are going to drift towards Arsenal first.