Ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant faces Fifa probe after sexual harassment claims

Avram Grant, the former manager of Chelsea and one of the most powerful men in Israeli sport, will be investigated by Fifa after being accused of sexually harassing multiple women in an investigative report.

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.

Grant’s enduring status in the game was recognised in December by world soccer’s governing body, which asked him to coach a Fifa World Legends team featuring retired stars and Fifa president Gianni Infantino for a match in Qatar against an Arab Legends side.

“Given the nature of the allegations being made, Fifa’s ethics committee will look into the matter,” Fifa said in a statement to the Associated Press.

“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