FIFA ethics check for ex-Chelsea boss Grant over harassment claims
ZURICH: Avram Grant is under investigation by the ethics committee of world football federation FIFA over allegations sexual harassment
Exposure, a programme on Israel’s Channel 12 TV, broadcast a series of interviews on Sunday with women alleging Grant made unwanted advances while offering to help promote their careers.
The women’s voices were altered and their faces silhouetted to protect their identities.
This is a sudden fall from grace for Grant who, only last December, managed a FIFA World Legends team featuring retired stars and president Gianni Infantino for a match in Qatar against an Arab Legends side.
A FIFA statement said: “Given the nature of the allegations being made, FIFA’s ethics committee will look into the matter.
“When it comes to misconduct and abuse in football, we wish to reiterate that FIFA takes any allegations reported to it very seriously.”
The broadcast alleged that Grant, 66, attempted to touch and kiss the women against their will, tried to coerce them into sex and hinted he could harm their careers if they did not co-operate.
The women included a recently released soldier, a fashion model and a female sports broadcaster who alleged he sent her numerous harassing text messages. She said his behaviour was well known in the industry.
The former soldier said she met Grant shortly after her release from the army in the summer of 2020. She said he invited her to his Tel Aviv apartment with an offer to help her find a job.
Shortly after entering, she said Grant told her to take off her clothes. She said she thought he was joking, but he approached her and tried to hug her. She said he did not stop.
“He put his hand on my thigh, I remember I immediately moved it,” she said. “After chatting for a few seconds, he grabbed me by the neck, like he was choking me, turned my head to him and tried to forcefully kiss me.”
Grant served as manager of Chelsea from 2007 to 2008, leading the club into the Champions League final before losing in a penalty shoot-out to Manchester United.
He has also coached Portsmouth and West Ham, and coached the national teams of Israel and Ghana.
Grant told Channel 12: “I never meant to act unfairly or to hurt any woman in any way. Anyone who felt uncomfortable or was hurt by me, I’m sorry for that and apologise from the bottom of my heart.”
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