An Open Letter to Arsenal Football Club:
Dear Kroenke Sports Entertainment (KSE), Arsenal Board of Directors, Management, and Staff,
We write to formally and collectively communicate our concerns as fans of Arsenal Football Club and followers of the sport, regarding the widespread issue of tolerating footballers facing sexual offence allegations within the game we love.
Recently, BBC News investigations have concluded that seven Premier League teams have had players or higher-ups under police investigation for sexual offences since 2020. Furthermore, articles written by the likes of Suzanne Wrack and Nick Ames of The Guardian and Hannah Price of the BBC have reported that a Premier League footballer is currently under investigation for the alleged rape of two women, along with sexual offences involving a third and fourth woman. The BBC has also confirmed that the footballer was questioned again on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
As fans, we feel compelled to voice our growing concerns over this troubling matter and we call upon the Club to listen. Sexual violence is a deeply ingrained societal issue, one that disproportionately affects women. We believe there is no place for it within football. We trust that you share in our conviction.
While we recognise that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty, we would find any scenario in which a club was to continually select and promote a player under investigation for sexual offences deeply concerning. This would give the suggestion that success on the pitch far outweighs respect for victims of sexual violence.
Arsenal Football Club has prided itself on representing its fans and community on and off the pitch, fostering a culture of safety and inclusivity across all spectrums of identity, including race, religion, gender, and sexuality. If, in a hypothetical situation, the aforementioned circumstance were to occur at our Club, we worry that it would undermine its reputation as well as the unity and integrity that football inspires.
We wish to emphasise that this letter arises from genuine concern for this wider problem, one that—were it to ever apply to the Club—would constitute a glaring violation of the moral code Arsenal has built and championed for decades.
To this end, we call on you, KSE, Arsenal Board of Directors, Management, and Staff, to:
Provide clear communication to supporters, the Premier League, and victims regarding the steps the Club takes to address these concerns and establish full transparency regarding its policy on handling cases involving players under criminal investigation. This should include a comprehensive statement outlining the Club’s position and detailing the specific actions being undertaken. Such transparency is essential in building trust, fostering accountability, and upholding the Club’s commitment to integrity.
Provide a genuine promise to suspend any individual under investigation for criminal offences, especially those of a sexual nature, and bar them from the ability to renew or extend existing contracts until investigations conclude. By adopting these measures from the outset of any investigation, they would not presume guilt but instead demonstrate an ethical stance that acknowledges the gravity of the situation.
Offer tangible support for victims and their families by dedicating resources to initiatives that provide trauma support, counselling, and assistance programs, acknowledging the difficult reality they face. Such a commitment would exemplify the Club’s stance against abuse and show meaningful compassion for those affected.
We urge you to recognise that football is not merely about what happens on the field, but rather about upholding values that resonate far beyond the sport. Our beloved game has the power to set an example, and to stand as a beacon of integrity and justice. For the good of the Club, the community, and the sport, we ask that you reflect and open the floor to dialogue regarding this serious matter while continuing to take steps that exhibit the values of decency, respect, and accountability.
We stand ready, alongside millions of other loyal supporters, unified in our desire to uphold a future for Arsenal Football Club that is not only victorious on the pitch but also ethical and worthy of admiration.
We await your response with great anticipation and hope to receive it in a timely manner.
With respect and solidarity,
Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence
References:
Wrack, S. and Ames, N. (2022). Premier League club of arrested player knew of rape allegation last autumn. [online] The Guardian. Available at: amp.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/08/premier-l... [Accessed 12 November 2024].
Price, H. (2023). Premier League teams are playing footballers facing abuse claims. [online] BBC. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67508310 [Accessed 12 November 2024].