Port-au-Prince (AFP)

Living in a vacuum since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic in Haiti, the players and supervisors of the national football center largely defend the president of the federation, accused of rape but who here appears as "father".

A disturbing atmosphere hangs over the former ranch of dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier, converted into a sports academy after the 2010 earthquake.

It is in this place that, according to young girls cited in an investigation by the Guardian newspaper, Yves-Jean Bart has raped many underage players in recent years.

The juvenile protection brigade of the Haitian judicial police has opened an investigation and a municipal judge has already summoned several executives from the federation.

Witnesses to pressures to remain silent, alleged victims told the newspaper, on condition of anonymity, that at least two underage players allegedly aborted following rapes committed by the president of the federation in the sports complex. Haitian women's rights organizations have supported them.

- "A dad for us" -

However, in the fiefdom of the Haitian Football Federation (FHF), the ten people interviewed by AFP all said they were shocked by the revelations published in late April, on condition of anonymity, in the British daily newspaper.

"The president treats us like his children: I do not think it really happened. I do not believe it," says firmly Dusane Nicolas, 12, on the edge of a plot of land in the center where she has lived since December .

In the sports arena on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, this vision of the leader as a "father" transcends generations.

Former captain of the national team, Yvette Félix has coached the women's teams since 2006.

"President Jean-Bart is like a dad to us (..) he loves and respects everyone", says the 38-year-old woman.

Yves Jean-Bart, 73, has headed the federation for two decades. With no candidate facing him, his re-election in February to a sixth term was a formality.

- Culture of rape -

In a country where the football is king, attacking "Dadou" is, according to FHF members, attacking Haiti. Football offers the Caribbean nation rare opportunities to shine internationally.

Joined on the phone by AFP, President Jean-Bart denies en bloc. "There is an affront to the country," he protested.

He wants to file a complaint in Paris against the French journalist co-author of the Guardian investigation: "He defamed our country, he defiled our flag, he insulted the girls."

In response to the publication, players organized an event on the ranch grounds, several photos of which were shared on the internet.

"We made these signs to say: stop spoiling our image, stop spoiling the image of the country", explains Kerly Théus, keeper of the national team.

Still hermetic to the #MeToo movement, Haitian society often puts responsibility for sexual assaults on the victims. A "rape culture" that hampers the liberation of speech.

"When we talk about abuse, a person may think that it was your fault, that it was your will, that you accepted", sighs Kerly Théus.

"Before on social networks, when we posted a photo or a video of us, people were proud (...) Today, because of what came out, as soon as we publish a photo, they say: + This is the president's wife + ", says the 21-year-old athlete.

- "Let football continue" -

Before being confined to the center due to the coronavirus detected on March 19 in Haiti, the players already lived in spartan conditions, in overcrowded dormitories with decrepit walls.

Leaving a top sheet hanging is the only way to offer a minimum of privacy, a promiscuity that does not necessarily guarantee security.

"We live in the same room, we are together and we are friends and you can have a problem in life that I totally ignore. Really, I cannot say that nothing happened to the people who live by my side ", says Mélissa Shelsie Dacius, 20, who wishes to clarify:" Nothing happened to me ".

Webens Prinsime, a former player in the national team, has known Yves Jean-Bart for more than 30 years. He is skeptical about paternities loaned to the president with former players.

Questioned by a Haitian radio on the subject, the interested party declared "to have the right not to answer".

"We don't want to associate with people who rape minors, who make them undergo abortions," said Prinsime. "If the president is guilty, let him pay but, at least, let football continue (…) Now, if he is not guilty, let him go on his way."

© 2020 AFP