After more than two years of investigation into Gabonese football and the collection of dozens of testimonies, the British daily The Guardian delivered a chilling conclusion on Thursday, December 16: several hundred young players accuse their trainer of having sexually assaulted them.
According to the British media, Patrick Assoumou Eyi, nicknamed "Capello", is accused of having "raped, trained and exploited" many boys, when he was under-17 coach of Gabon, until 2017, and still today. 'hui as technical director of the League of the Estuary - the youth championships.
"The network dates back to the 1990s. It results from this investigation that it would be several hundred victims just for this man who would have moreover provided other minor players to other personalities of Gabonese football", explains Romain Molina, co-author of the survey, on the antenna of France 24 (video at the top of the page).
"If you refuse: you are dismissed"
He was reportedly threatening the young players to exclude them from the squad if they did not accede to his favor.
"We make you understand that you have no choice and if you refuse: you are rejected. Patrick Assoumou Eyi, and others were going to demand from young people a 'masturbation', a 'fellatio' or a 'sexual intercourse' ", relates Romain Molina.
"He raped so many boys that he sometimes went to the countryside to find new ones. He took advantage of their poverty. [...] This has been the reality of Gabonese football for decades, but no one can stop it. system. There are too many predators ... "said one of the witnesses.
"It is an open secret in Gabon", indicates Romain Molina, who accuses the federation of having concealed the facts.
The coach was finally suspended from his functions shortly after the publication of the investigation.
The Gabonese sports minister therefore announced at a press conference the provisional suspension of Patrick Assoumou Eyi alias coach Capello.
Opening of an investigation too, and we will especially continue to do the job on our side.
See you soon, and thank you for the support!
- Romain Molina (@Romain_Molina) December 17, 2021
This is not the journalist's first attempt.
In recent years, he has revealed a scandal of sexual harassment in the Malian or Kenyan basketball world.
Regarding French football, he pointed out in the New York Times the inappropriate attitude of an educational manager towards a 13-year-old child.
"All continents are affected. The problem is endemic [to sport] and the federations have turned a blind eye for decades. It is the biggest taboo in world sport," denounces the journalist.
The summary of the week
France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 application
google-play-badge_FR