Paris (AFP)

The French skater Morgan Ciprès, suspected of having sent obscene photos to a minor at the end of 2017, was released by the disciplinary commission of the French Federation of Ice Sports (FFSG), we learned from the FFSG on Wednesday who will not appeal.

In its decision, of which AFP has obtained a copy, the disciplinary commission of the FFSG indicates that it "was not brought (to its) knowledge (...) neither complaint of the alleged victim nor element likely to establish the existence of criminal proceedings ".

In addition, it "does not appear in the file any objective element (photographs, messages, letter ...) likely to establish proof of the alleged offense".

A "conviction decision cannot emerge from press clippings alone and from the letter from an American lawyer addressed to the FFSG inviting it to contact its insurer", adds the commission, for whom "the materiality of the facts prosecuted" is "not established in evidence".

The commission was seized on April 23 by the new president of the FFSG, Nathalie Péchalat, elected in mid-March after the resignation of Didier Gailhaguet, swept away by the scandal of sexual violence that shook French skating in early 2020.

This body "is independent and its members have the legal and ethical skills to take decisions and pronounce sanctions or not. The FFSG will therefore not appeal their decisions," responded Nathalie Péchalat in an email sent to AFP.

Morgan Ciprès, 2019 European champion with Vanessa James, in couples, is suspected of having sent two photos of her sex in December 2017 to a young skater of thirteen years. The case was revealed by the American daily USA Today in December 2019.

According to USA Today, Ciprès (29), as well as his Florida-based coaches John Zimmerman and Silvia Fontana, were targeted by an investigation by the American organization Safe Sport, dedicated to the fight against violence in sport. Coaches are blamed for pressuring the teenager to remain silent.

In early July, the American daily also announced that the sheriff of Pasco County in Florida had relaunched an investigation into this case, on the basis of new information.

At first, the FFSG, at the time still chaired by Didier Gailhaguet, had decided not to sanction Ciprès.

© 2020 AFP