FIFA bans former youth coach for life after finding him guilty of sexually abusing multiple young players over a 15-year period.
Young souls are now at the center of a dark scandal that has rocked Gabonese football as FIFA has officially banned former Under-17 coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi for life.
The governing body found him guilty of sexually abusing multiple young players over a span of 15 years, delivering one of the most severe punishments in football history.
Eyi, once a respected figure in Gabon’s football circles, will no longer be able to engage in any football-related activities at national or international levels. Additionally, FIFA has imposed a CHF 1,000,000 (£880,000) fine for his violations of the organization’s Code of Ethics.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports.
“The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Mr. Patrick Assoumou Eyi… guilty of abusing his position and committing repeated acts of sexual abuse against multiple players, in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics,” FIFA announced in a statement as per African Soccer.
This ruling follows complaints from at least four footballers who accused Eyi of sexual abuse between 2006 and 2021.
Most of the victims were minors at the time, making this one of the most egregious cases of abuse to surface in international football. FIFA cited breaches of Article 24 (Protection of physical and mental integrity) and Article 26 (Abuse of position) as grounds for the punishment.
)
Justin Gatlin has paid homeage to Usain Bolt for reviving his sprinting career after getting back into the sport in 2010.
The scandal runs deeper than a single man’s crimes. Reports indicate that Eyi operated within a larger system of exploitation in Gabonese football, where young players were allegedly coerced into sexual acts in exchange for career opportunities.
Victims have come forward with disturbing accounts of what took place behind closed doors.
“Sometimes, he took some kids to his house, ‘Garden of Eden,’” one former player revealed as per Guardian.
“He was very nice to me, but every time I saw him, he told me I was beautiful. One day, he told me that some of the players gave masturbation… He left his office with a smile. It was like he was sending me a message.”
Another player who was allegedly abused as a minor spoke about the devastating impact on his life.
“I had some sexual experiences with Capello, I was obligated to. I quit football, you know. I tried my best for my family. And now I live out of the country. I can’t go back.”
)
Incoming Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will get to work with the man he had selected as assistant after his current cut ties with him.
Eyi, who was known by the nickname ‘Capello,’ allegedly targeted vulnerable boys from underprivileged backgrounds.
“Capello bought kids from remote provinces or villages with a poor background in the majority. He brainwashed them and made them believe they had to give sexual favours to him,” another victim stated.
“One other coach told us one day: ‘If you want to play with the under-17 national team, you know what you have to do.’”
FIFA’s ruling is being seen as a step toward justice, but the damage inflicted on these young athletes is irreparable. Many of the victims were forced to abandon their dreams, and some have even fled the country out of fear and trauma.
The international players’ union, Fifpro, has been vocal about the case, demanding that football’s governing bodies implement stronger protections against such abuse.
“Our preliminary inquiries yielded consistent evidence from credible witnesses who all tell of an ongoing and long-embedded practice of forcing young players into sexual relationships as a pre-condition for footballing opportunities,” Fifpro stated.
)
Gor Mahia have made key squad changes, bringing in fresh talent while letting go of some players in a strategic reshuffle.
They further condemned the exploitation of young athletes within the sport.
“If these allegations are indeed true, it is yet further evidence that football is being consistently exploited, across leagues and continents, as a forum for abusers to access, groom, extort, and assault players. More must be done to prevent this horrific abuse. And we call on football’s governing bodies to act as a matter of urgency.”
Eyi has yet to publicly respond to FIFA’s ruling. However, reports indicate that he previously admitted to his crimes in 2021 and is awaiting sentencing in Gabon.