A Premier League footballer, who is married, has been accused of using a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to silence his secret lover. The woman, who is a single mother, was allegedly pressured into signing the NDA and accepting £20,000 in hush money. The footballer, who has played for the England national team, is said to have had hotel romps with the woman before and after he got married. He then hired lawyers at a cost of £500 per hour to issue warning letters and ensure that she remained silent about their affair. The use of NDAs to control and silence women has previously sparked widespread fury, and charities have condemned the unnamed player’s actions.
Teresa Parker, communications chief at Women’s Aid, described the footballer’s behaviour as “intimidating” and “abusive”. She added that it was “horrendous” for a woman to be faced with such behaviour from a football player, and that it was unacceptable for footballers to use their financial power and status to legally intimidate women. Parker also highlighted the need to stand up against controlling behaviour in relationships together.
The woman claimed that the footballer got “aggressive” when she initially refused to cooperate, and that he told her “I know where you live”. She was then pressured into deleting photos and messages before eventually signing the NDA and accepting the pay-off. Despite the order, the footballer has reportedly still been in contact with the woman, whom he first hooked up with in 2019.
NDAs are commonly used in commercial transactions such as mergers and acquisitions to protect confidential information. However, they have also been increasingly deployed by public figures, including shamed film mogul Harvey Weinstein, to silence victims of alleged sexual assault. The Solicitors Regulation Authority issued a warning notice about their improper use in 2020, and a report on sexual harassment at work by the Women and Equalities Committee also said they are being used to silence victims.
The use of NDAs to silence women has been widely criticised, and charities have called for greater regulation of their use. The footballer’s actions have been condemned by Women’s Aid, who have called for an end to controlling behaviour in relationships. The use of NDAs in cases of sexual harassment and assault has also been criticised, with many arguing that they are being used to protect perpetrators rather than victims. As the debate over their use continues, it is clear that NDAs remain a controversial and divisive issue.