The London football club’s former owner had been held in high affection. At its ground, supporters are changing their tune

The common word on the lips of the Fulham fans outside Craven Cottage stadium yesterday was “shocking”. No one, young or old, male or female, hesitated to express their horror at the news that the club’s former owner, Mohamed Al Fayed, who died last year, has been accused of being a serial rapist and sexual abuser.

Yet as Anna Davies, attending the game with her son Evan, put it: “I was shocked when I watched [the BBC investigation, Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods] but equally I wasn’t surprised.”