The ruling follows a BBC investigation revealing widespread exploitation in Gabon’s football scene.
**Gabon Football Coach Banned for Life Following Sexual Abuse Allegations**
**Gabon Football Coach Banned for Life Following Sexual Abuse Allegations**
Fifa imposes life ban on ex-youth coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi amid ongoing scandals in Gabonese football.
In a significant development for Gabonese football, former youth coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi has received a life ban from football-related activities from Fifa after being convicted of sexually abusing multiple young boys. This ruling, delivered just days after a BBC Africa Eye investigation exposed systemic abuse within Gabonese football, highlights the urgent need for reform in the sport's governance and safety protocols.
Eyi, known by his moniker "Capello," previously held significant influence as the head coach for Gabon's national youth teams, allowing him to wield considerable power over young talent. His actions were described by a former international player as exercising a "god-like" control, creating an environment ripe for exploitation.
The players' association, Fifpro, has responded to Fifa's ruling by demanding further action to safeguard the future of Gabonese football. While they welcomed the ban of Eyi, the union stressed that real safety in the sport would only be achieved when all individuals involved in the abuse, as well as those who facilitated it, are held accountable.
Eyi admitted to charges of grooming, raping, and exploiting young players dating back from 2006 to 2021, with many of these incidents occurring when the victims were minors. He has been sentenced to pay a fine of one million Swiss francs and currently remains in prison.
According to Fifa's statement, allegations against Eyi came from at least four male players, resonating with testimonies from a broader investigation involving over 30 witnesses who detailed a pervasive culture of sexual abuse within Gabonese football over the last three decades. In a poignant response to the ruling, one anonymous victim conveyed a mix of relief and frustration, expressing the need for comprehensive dismantling of the entrenched network of abusers.
Calls have also been directed at Fifa and Gabon’s football federation, Fegafoot, who have been criticized for their inadequate protection of young players, although both organizations deny the allegations against them. As the investigations continue, many hope that decisive action will not only bring justice for the victims but also reform the system that has allowed such abuses to occur unchecked for years.
Eyi, known by his moniker "Capello," previously held significant influence as the head coach for Gabon's national youth teams, allowing him to wield considerable power over young talent. His actions were described by a former international player as exercising a "god-like" control, creating an environment ripe for exploitation.
The players' association, Fifpro, has responded to Fifa's ruling by demanding further action to safeguard the future of Gabonese football. While they welcomed the ban of Eyi, the union stressed that real safety in the sport would only be achieved when all individuals involved in the abuse, as well as those who facilitated it, are held accountable.
Eyi admitted to charges of grooming, raping, and exploiting young players dating back from 2006 to 2021, with many of these incidents occurring when the victims were minors. He has been sentenced to pay a fine of one million Swiss francs and currently remains in prison.
According to Fifa's statement, allegations against Eyi came from at least four male players, resonating with testimonies from a broader investigation involving over 30 witnesses who detailed a pervasive culture of sexual abuse within Gabonese football over the last three decades. In a poignant response to the ruling, one anonymous victim conveyed a mix of relief and frustration, expressing the need for comprehensive dismantling of the entrenched network of abusers.
Calls have also been directed at Fifa and Gabon’s football federation, Fegafoot, who have been criticized for their inadequate protection of young players, although both organizations deny the allegations against them. As the investigations continue, many hope that decisive action will not only bring justice for the victims but also reform the system that has allowed such abuses to occur unchecked for years.
