A growing movement among Arsenal fans has taken a bold stand against sexual violence in football. Over the past week, a group called Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence has been at the forefront of protests beneath the Emirates Stadium, raising awareness about the increasing number of sexual offense allegations involving Premier League footballers.
The protest gained traction on social media after photos surfaced showing demonstrators holding banners with messages such as “Love Arsenal, Hate Rapists” and using hashtags like #ArsenalSupportersAgainstSexualViolence to amplify their cause. The group also distributed brochures and pamphlets detailing critical statistics regarding sexual violence, particularly within the football community.
One of the most eye-opening facts they highlighted was a recent BBC News investigation that found seven out of twenty Premier League clubs have had players or executives investigated by police for sexual offenses since 2020. Additionally, their pamphlet included broader statistics on sexual violence in the UK, stating that:
- One in four women have been victims of sexual violence since the age of 16.
- In 2021-22, over 70,000 rapes were reported, yet less than 2% resulted in convictions.
- Only 3.2% of reported cases led to prosecution, indicating a severe lack of legal action despite the high number of complaints.
The protest has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many fans and activists praising the movement for shedding light on a serious issue that often remains unaddressed within the football world. Their efforts are seen as a call to action for both clubs and authorities to take allegations more seriously and ensure accountability.
However, this raises several questions: Who exactly are Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence, and what is their mission? Why have they chosen to protest now? And most importantly, is an Arsenal player implicated in such allegations and what are the developments around these cases?
In the next section, we will delve into the origins of this movement, the motivations behind their activism, and the broader context of sexual violence cases in football that have led to such demonstrations.
Who are Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence?
Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence is a fan group committed to eradicating sexual violence within football and holding those responsible accountable. The group has long championed this cause, emphasizing that survivors should not feel afraid to come forward due to the power and influence of high-profile footballers.
In November 2024, the group took a decisive step by writing an open letter to Arsenal Football Club, expressing deep concerns about the handling of sexual violence allegations in the sport. This letter, dated November 14, garnered over 7,000 signatures online and called for the club to take tangible action, including suspending any employee under criminal investigation. Additionally, the group urged the club to provide direct support to victims and maintain transparency with supporters, the Premier League, and survivors of sexual violence.
The letter underscored that sexual violence is a systemic societal issue that disproportionately affects women and has no place in football. While acknowledging the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” the group firmly stated that allowing players under investigation to continue playing prioritizes on-field success over respect for victims.
The Thomas Partey Case and Its Implications
The letter’s demands directly correlate with past incidents involving Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey.
In 2022, Partey missed a couple of fixtures for his side, and rumors were that he was accused of sexual assault by multiple women.
Reports surfaced that he had been arrested but later released without charges due to insufficient evidence. One of the alleged incidents reportedly occurred in Spain, while another was linked to the UK. In July 2022, Partey was arrested on suspicion of rape concerning events from 2021 and 2022. Despite these allegations, he continued to play for Arsenal as no formal charges were filed against him.
Things were not pursued officially in legal terms but it took a turn when a UK influencer/model going by “deffonotyourchour” decided to accuse the Arsenal midfielder of this crime and stated that he was only given a pass as the law which allows UK police to attend matters outside the country jurisdiction (in this case the crime was committed outside the nation) came just 10 days before it came into place allowing him a loophole to exploit.
After posting this stunning revelation she then later had her account suspended for reasons which are still not known.
Additionally, Pulse Sports Kenya & African Sports Today reported that, a London-based footballer was accused of rape and charged, with strong speculation that the player in question was Thomas Partey. Reports suggest that Partey, also known as ‘Yakubu,’ was allegedly set up by his Moroccan girlfriend, Sara Bella, after he refused to marry her during their trip to Spain. However, the Crown Prosecution Service later dropped most of the charges against him, citing a lack of sufficient evidence for prosecution.
Further to substantiate the case in terms of more official reports according to ESPN’s James Olley, the Metropolitan Police submitted a comprehensive file of evidence on a Premier League footballer—whose identity could not be revealed for legal reasons—to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for review. Sources told ESPN:
The player, who is in his 30s, was arrested in July 2022 and has been interviewed under caution in both February 2023 and November 2024. He continues to play for his club and denies the allegations.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police also confirmed:
A full file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, and detectives continue to work with prosecutors. Those who have come forward to police continue to receive support from Met officers.
The CPS, which is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales, is currently assessing whether sufficient evidence exists to press charges against the accused.
Broader Patterns of Allegations in the Premier League
BBC News’ Hannah Price reported on November 12, 2024, that a Premier League footballer remained under investigation for allegedly raping three women and sexually assaulting a fourth. The BBC had previously conducted an investigation, revealing that since 2020, at least seven of the 20 Premier League clubs have had players or staff investigated for sexual offenses.
One survivor interviewed by the BBC expressed how the club’s inaction contributed to her distress:
I didn’t want to exist in a world where I’m constantly reminded that rape allegations can be ignored as long as you’re talented enough.
Another survivor stated that if ‘Player X’ had been suspended following the first allegation, she would not have been sexually assaulted later.
The BBC investigation further confirmed that the footballer was questioned at a police station on November 7, 2024, regarding a rape allegation reported by a fourth woman. This mirrored the timeline of previous investigations into Thomas Partey, suggesting that the reports could be referring to him.
The Guardian’s Exclusive Report and Institutional Failures
An exclusive investigation by Susan Rack and Nick Ames of The Guardian revealed that a Premier League club was aware of rape allegations against one of its players since autumn 2021, yet continued selecting him for first-team matches.
The Metropolitan Police disclosed:
An allegation of rape was reported to the Metropolitan Police Service in August 2021. This alleged offense happened outside the UK, and the MPS transferred the report to the complainant’s home force to proceed as appropriate and support the complainant as is standard practice. In February 2022, the complainant made a further report to the MPS about an alleged offense of rape committed in London. The MPS carried out inquiries to establish if it had legal jurisdiction to investigate the allegations both abroad and in London. Once jurisdiction was confirmed, the MPS began investigating both matters in March 2022. Detailed inquiries continue along with specialist support for the complainant.
Other Protests Surrounding The Cause
The protest by Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence during Arsenal’s match against Brighton is not an isolated incident. This is just the latest in a series of actions by fans demanding accountability and justice in football when it comes to sexual violence allegations involving players.
Back in 2022, another significant protest took place at the Premier League opener between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. A banner reading “Kick Rapists Off The Pitch” was flown over the stadium before kickoff, drawing attention to the issue of gender-based violence in football. This was a result of a collaboration between feminist campaign group Level Up and Arsenal fans, who at the time were also urging the club to take the lead in tackling sexual violence. Their demands included introducing a disciplinary policy for players accused or under investigation for sexual violence, ensuring that clubs no longer turn a blind eye to these serious allegations.
The urgency of addressing these issues extends far beyond Arsenal. The Premier League and football as a whole have long struggled with their handling of players facing allegations of sexual violence. The cases of Benjamin Mendy and Mason Greenwood are stark reminders of how institutions continue to protect their players.
Mendy was eventually acquitted, but the case itself highlighted the complexities of sexual violence allegations in football. Meanwhile, Greenwood’s situation, where his partner Harriet reconciled with him despite the accusations, raises questions about power dynamics and the systemic failures in handling such cases.
Football clubs, as influential institutions, must set a precedent. A player under investigation for serious allegations should not be allowed to continue playing as if nothing happened. It is time for meaningful change, and these protests serve as a wake-up call that fans will not stay silent. The responsibility now lies with clubs and governing bodies to ensure that football does not become a safe haven for those accused of gender-based violence.
Accountability is overdue, and action is needed now.
