Ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant faces new sexual assault allegations

Former Chelsea Football Club manager Avram Grant is facing new sexual assault allegations from three more women who this week aired their claims on Israeli TV.

It comes just weeks after the Israeli manager was accused of sexual harassment by several other women.

They included young female journalists, who said he offered to help them with their careers before pouncing. The alleged incidents cover many years, the most recent of which was 18 months ago.

One woman, who was serving in the IDF at the time, said he asked her to take her clothes off at his apartment and tried to kiss her forcefully. Grant has previously said his relations with women have “always been conducted with respect and consent”.

The 66-year-old has already apologised for any “upset” caused by his behaviour following the Channel 12 documentary, but this week’s new allegations threaten to further tarnish his reputation in the sport and beyond.

He is accused of forcing himself on an 18-year-old in her car, while another said he took her by car to a parking garage before asking what she would be “prepared to do for money”.

When she said she would not have sex with him, he reportedly said he would “compromise and settle” for oral sex.

Others say Grant sent them unwanted sexual messages, while one woman said he tried to push her head towards his exposed genitals. His behaviour has been referred to as “an open secret” in the industry.

Grant has said the programme makers were offering “distorted, unbalanced, and unfair picture of my private life”.

In a statement, he added: “My relationships with women have always been conducted with respect and consent. I have never intended to hurt anyone. I’m sorry with all my heart if anyone was hurt by me and I regret it.”

He took over from Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager in September 2007, steering them to the European Champions League final, before being fired shortly after.

He has also managed Portsmouth, West Ham, Israel, and Ghana, in a coaching career that ended in 2017.