Europe 1 with AFP 10:08 p.m., March 10, 2022
The Paris Assize Court on Thursday sentenced a former coach of amateur football clubs in the Paris region to 18 years in prison, accused of rape and sexual assault committed between 2003 and 2018 on several minors.
The 49-year-old man will also be subject to a five-year socio-judicial follow-up with an obligation of care.
A former coach of amateur football clubs in the Paris region, accused of rape and sexual assault committed between 2003 and 2018 on several minors, was sentenced Thursday to 18 years' imprisonment by the Paris Assize Court.
The 49-year-old man will also be subject to a five-year socio-judicial follow-up with an obligation of care.
He is accused of "rape and sexual assault by a person in authority" on minors under the age of 15 and attempts, "electronic sexual proposals" and "corruption of minors".
The facts took place between 2003 and 2018.
The coach dangled a career for his victims
Ahmed G. dangled a career in football to his victims to gain their trust and that of their loved ones before committing his acts.
The debates took place for almost two weeks behind closed doors before the Paris Assize Court, at the request of the civil parties.
"I have the impression that it relieved them, changed them. We see the interest of the hearing" declared Me Agathe Blanc, lawyer, about four of the players.
In total, the victims were 13 young people, football enthusiasts of African origin, most of whom were under 15 at the time of the events, and whom Ahmed G. trained in clubs in the Paris region.
Nine are concerned by acts of rape or sexual assault.
"He has been undergoing treatment since 2017", specifies one of his lawyers
For My Peggy Salomé and Elise Arfi, lawyers for the coach, the latter "recognized and it is important for the dignity of the players".
"He has been undergoing treatment since 2017. He has tried several protocols and the path is long, it takes time," said Me Arfi, insisting on the need to provide treatment.
A call request can still be made.
The charges against Ahmed G. took place in his vehicle or at his home, in particular during trips for training, matches or other football-related events.
Exchanges of a sexual nature by messaging with some young people had been found during the investigation.
The psychiatric expertise had concluded in particular to an "abuse of transfer on the part of a sports pedagogue mixing the authority, the admiration and the interest of which he is the object".
A "recognized abuse of authority", according to his lawyers.
On the eve of the opening of the trial ten days ago, Me Agathe Blanc recalled that this file "confirms that sexual violence in sport is a national problem".