The International Football Federation (Fifa) has opened an investigation following the accusations suspected sexual assault hundreds of children by several football coaches in Gabon, Fifa told AFP on Tuesday. “Given the seriousness of the allegations, we can confirm that the independent ethics committee of Fifa has opened an investigation,” said a spokesman for the federation, confirming information from the British daily The Guardian.
Hundreds of children affected
Patrick Assoumou Eyi, former Gabonese football coach of the national under-17 team, is accused of alleged sexual assault of hundreds of children. He was arrested by the Gabonese authorities on December 20 and indicted for “rape of minors”. Two other club coaches, Orphée Mickala and Triphel Mabicka, were also indicted for the same reasons. The three coaches face 30 years of criminal imprisonment.
Well known in Gabonese football circles under the sobriquet of “Capello”, Patrick Assoumou Eyi, whose name has been made public through The Guardian, who revealed the case in December, was the coach of the National Under-17 squad until 2017 and has since been technical director of the Estuaire Football League, the capital province, Libreville. Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba spoke of a “very serious and unacceptable” affair.
Football is not the only sport affected in recent weeks. Martin Avera, known in Gabon under the pseudonym of “Master Chacka”, taekwondo trainer, was arrested on December 29 by the Gabonese police for alleged “pedophilia” on “numerous victims”.