FIFPro lauds FIFA's lifetime ban on former Gabonese youth coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi for sexually abusing players. However, they caution that many more abusers remain unpunished and call for comprehensive reforms within Gabonese football.
Lifelong Ban Imposed on Gabon Football Coach for Sexual Abuse
Lifelong Ban Imposed on Gabon Football Coach for Sexual Abuse
The global players' union Fifpro hails FIFA's decision to ban Patrick Assoumou Eyi but emphasizes the need to address broader systemic issues in Gabonese football.
Former Gabonese youth football coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi has been handed a life ban by FIFA following a ruling that found him guilty of sexually abusing young players during his long career, which has sparked widespread condemnation within the sport. A representative from FIFPro, the international players' union, described the ruling as a crucial first step, highlighting the existence of numerous other perpetrators still at large in Gabonese football.
In a decision announced on Tuesday, FIFA cited evidence from a BBC Africa Eye investigation that documented systemic abuse in Gabonese football, featuring testimonies from numerous individuals who exposed the disturbing culture of abuse. The 64-year-old, who was nicknamed Capello due to his long-standing influence over youth selections, allegedly exploited his authority, holding a 'god-like' status that allowed him to control players' futures.
Loic Alves, legal counsel for Fifpro, spoke with BBC's Focus on Africa, urging that Eyi represents merely a singular case and that far more abusers within the Gabonese football framework still need to be held accountable. Although many hailed the life ban, concerns were raised regarding the need for a broader inquiry into the systemic issues affecting the sport.
Eyi, who admitted to offenses including grooming and rape, had been under scrutiny since allegations surfaced in a 2021 Guardian report. Following a comprehensive FIFA investigation initiated that same year, he was found to have abused multiple male players, often when they were minors, between 2006 and 2021. Alongside the ban, he has been hit with a substantial fine of one million Swiss francs.
One of the victims, wishing to remain anonymous, expressed mixed emotions, stating, "I'm pleased about the ban... but there needs to be more action taken against a broader network." These sentiments resonate with findings from a recent BBC Africa investigation that unveiled more than 30 witnesses revealing a longstanding abuse network in Gabonese football.
The scope of the allegations has not only cast a shadow over individuals like Eyi, but also raised critical questions about the complicity of governing bodies like FIFA and Gabon's own national football federation, Fegafoot, which have faced backlash for their failure to protect young players. Both organizations have denied any negligence in the matter, even as pressure mounts for significant changes to prevent further victimization in the future.
