On Tuesday, FIFA decided to ban Patrick Assoumo Eyi, who had been the head coach of Gabon’s national youth teams for decades, for life after he was found guilty of sexually abusing several young male football players.
FIFA called the lifetime ban a “positive first step.”
Eyi was one of the individuals named in a 2023 BBC Africa Eye investigation into the sexual abuse allegations that have rocked Gabonese football.
During the investigation, a former Gabonese international claimed that Eyi held the “position of a god” because he had the power to decide who would play for Gabon’s youth teams.
Eyi later admitted to charges of raping, exploiting, and manipulating young players. In addition to the lifetime ban, he was fined one million Swiss francs and is currently being held in prison.
FIFA released the following statement:
“The investigation into Mr. Eyi concerns complaints from at least four male football players who accused him of sexual abuse between 2006 and 2021. Most of these incidents occurred while the players were minors.”
Among the victims were players who were abused during their adolescence at a youth football camp, as well as others who were sexually assaulted from the age of 14.
These sexual abuse activities have also opened FIFA and Gabon’s Football Federation (Fegafoot) to accusations that they failed to protect young victims.
Both organizations denied the allegations made against them.