Paris (AFP)

Figure skater Morgan Ciprès, accused of sending obscene photos to a minor in late 2017, is due to appear before the disciplinary committee of the French Ice Sports Federation (FFSG), whose decision is expected by "late July "we learned from a source familiar with the matter.

It was the new president, Nathalie Péchalat, elected in mid-March after the resignation of the irremovable Didier Gailhaguet, swept away by the scandal of sexual violence which rocked French skating in early 2020, who seized this commission "in late April-early May, "the federation confirmed to AFP on Wednesday. The commission having three months after the referral to rule, it will render its decision by "end of July", one adds, without specifying on the other hand the scale of the sanctions incurred by the skater.

The case broke out in early December, when the American daily newspaper USA Today revealed that Cipré (29), along with his Florida-based coaches, John Zimmerman and Silvia Fontana, were the target of an investigation by the American organization Safe Sport. , dedicated to the fight against violence in sport. Him for having, in December 2017, sent two photos of his sex to a young skater of thirteen. Them for having put pressure on the adolescent to keep her silent.

Also according to USA Today, "new or additional information" has recently led to relaunch an investigation conducted by the sheriff of Pasco County in Florida.

At the time of the revelation of the affair, the FFSG, then still chaired by Gailhaguet, had remained particularly discreet. She had only published a press release several days later, indicating that there was "as the information available, no reason not to trust her" with Cirès.

Then at the beginning of February, in the midst of a scandal of sexual violence, Gailhaguet had described as "shameful bullshit" and "inadmissible error" the acts alleged against the skater, while adding that he was "not sanctioned" sportingly.

Ci off will finally have to face the disciplinary commission of the FFSG.

Péchalat "no longer wants to solve problems with a pat on the back", we sum up at the federation.

Before this affair, and before the coronavirus upset the calendar, Cipré and his partner Vanessa James had decided to blow during the 2019/2020 season to extend their careers until 2022. The couple European champion 2019 and bronze medalist World Cup in 2018 did not skate in winter competition.

The disciplinary commission is composed of five members "chosen because of their legal or ethical skills" and is "competent to pronounce sanctions", explains the federation on its website.

© 2020 AFP