Football Boss Harassed Me, Says Secretary

　　A secretary who had affairs with Sven Goran Eriksson, the England coach, and the chief executive of the Football Association claimed yesterday that another married director sexually harassed her.

　　Faria Alam, 39, who claims she was forced to resign when the relationships were made public, alleged that she was harassed on a number of occasions by David Davies, the former FA director of football affairs and her immediate manager.

　　She claims that Mr Davies, who had a reputation for "trying it on", made "unwanted physical overtures" towards her, attempting to hug and kiss her in his office and seduce her in the lift.

　　He is also said to have mentioned that his life was better with her in it, asked her to run away with him and said he wanted to lock her up and "throw away the key".

　　Miss Alam's allegations emerged from an Employment Tribunal in which she is claiming constructive unfair dismissal, sexual discrimination and breach of contract.

　　The former fashion model claims she was forced to resign after details of her affairs with Mr Eriksson, 57, and the chief executive Mark Palios, 52, emerged in the newspapers in July 2004.

　　She said she had no support from the FA, which tried to sell her and Mr Eriksson down the river in order to keep Mr Palios, a father-of-four, out of the newspapers.

　　A month later, she resigned and sold her story for a reputed ?300,000 after taking advice from the publicity agent Max Clifford. In a Radio Five Live interview, she said that Mr Davies had been a "fantastic boss". No mention of harassment was made until the hearing yesterday.

　　She said that while she had a good professional relationship with him, her personal relationship was not so good.

　　"While I worked at the FA, I never made a formal complaint," she said. "If I complained it would have a bad effect on our working relationship.

　　"I was also very fond of Mr Davies's wife, as I used to speak to her on the telephone on a regular basis and indeed went shopping with her.

　　"It is with considerable reluctance that I have brought this claim against Mr Davies for sex discrimination, as I do feel very sorry for his wife."

　　Miss Alam, told the tribunal: "He made unwanted physical overtures to me.

　　"At his flat on one occasion in 2003, he tried to hold me close and kiss me when I left and he managed to kiss me on the lips."

　　Miss Alam, of south-east London, also claimed Mr Davies had told her she needed a "mature man" and said he had tried to hug her or put his arms around her at work, at an FA party and elsewhere.

　　"I found his comments and his conduct embarrassing and I did nothing to encourage it. I indicated his physical attentions were unwelcome by pushing him away or by moving out of range. I mentioned to several people at the FA that I found his attentions unwelcome."

　　She said she had never made a formal complaint as she felt there was "nothing she could do".

　　She earlier told the tribunal that she resigned from the FA on Aug 5, last year after details of her affairs with Mr Eriksson, 56, and the then FA chief executive Mark Palios, 51, became public.

　　She also said that Mr Eriksson urged her to deny they had an affair to her bosses when it became clear that a newspaper intended to print details.

　　Miss Alam said Mr Davies had telephoned her on July 17 to challenge her about the affair, after reporters contacted the FA.

　　"At the time of the call I was with Mr Eriksson. He told me that if I was questioned by the FA, I should deny that I was having any relationship with him. He would do the same.

　　"I did not want to do anything which might get Mr Eriksson into trouble."

　　Following later revelations about her relationship with Mr Palios, who also resigned, she said FA officials attempted to "sell down the river" both her and Mr Eriksson.

　　Last night, Mr Davies, a former presenter at the BBC, issued a statement saying the accusations were "deeply hurtful and will be refuted vehemently, not only by myself but also by others.

　　"Just for the record, I am not - and never have been - any kind of 'third man'.

　　"There is more, very much more, I would like to say. I look forward to saying it at the appropriate time when I can defend myself against this cowardly and callous attack on my integrity and reputation."