Ex-Chelsea boss Avram Grant denies sexual harassment as more allegations made

More allegations of sexual assault and harassment have been made against former Chelsea, Portsmouth and West Ham manager Avram Grant, as per Israeli outlet Haaretz.

The new claims were made by three women on Israeli TV show Hasifa earlier this month, around a month-and-a-half after the first series of allegations came to light. Grant insists his sexual relationships have "always been conducted with respect and consent".

He claims the allegations shown on the programme offered an "unbalanced" picture and "ignored evidence that was shown to it". Grant is alleged to have coaxed a woman into prostitution while she was still in high school. It's claimed he took the woman to a parking garage and said "let's get down to business" before asking her what she was prepared to do for money.

When the woman refused, he allegedly said he would "settle for oral sex". It's claimed Grant forced himself on the woman. "I got to the point where I was just looking up at the ceiling of the car," said the alleged victim. "I wanted to look anywhere until it was over."

A second woman claims Grant invited her to his apartment, led her to his bedroom and pushed her head towards his genitals. He is alleged to have paid her for sex. Grant is also accused of promising her a job while she was serving in the army.

A third woman claims Grant started a relationship with her when she was 18 and sent pictures and messages. When she asked him to stop, it's alleged he said they were mistakenly sent. Grant is also alleged to have tried to force himself on the woman after arranging to meet her at a gas station to help her purchase cannabis.

"I hoped that it would simply end there, but I realised he wasn't going to help me," the woman said. "He remained in the same position, still grabbing at me. I pushed him away as much as I could, opened the door and ran. I didn't look back. I got into my car and locked myself in and told myself it wasn't happening now. I saw him go, he just drove away."

Grant issued a statement denying the accusations, which read: "Unfortunately, the 'Hasifa' program has chosen for a second time now to show the public a distorted, unbalanced and unfair picture of my private life, ignoring evidence that was shown to it.

"Nevertheless, it is important for me to say: 'My relationships with women have always been conducted with respect and consent, and I never intended to hurt anyone. I'm sorry with all my heart if anyone was hurt by me and I regret it.'"

Grant has won several titles in Israel and Serbia. He led Ghana to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015. Grant succeeded Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager in September 2007, guiding the Blues to their first Champions League final that season.

He also led Portsmouth to the FA Cup final in 2010, losing to Chelsea. Grant suffered two relegations from the Premier League with Pompey and West Ham. His most recent managerial role was an interim position at Indian outfit NorthEast United.

Grant was accused of sexual assault and harassment in January, with the most recent incident said to have taken place as recently as 2020. One of the accusers was just 22 years of age at the time of the alleged offence.