By Victor Kanayo
Former Gabon Under-17 football coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi has been handed a lifetime ban from football after being found guilty of sexually abusing multiple players.
This was disclosed in a statement by FIFA.
The ruling also includes a fine of CHF 1,000,000 (£880,000) for violating FIFA’s Code of Ethics.
According to FIFA, the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee found that Eyi had “abused his position” and committed repeated acts of sexual abuse against multiple players, including minors, between 2006 and 2021.
The investigation was prompted by complaints from at least four players.
FIFA’s decision bars Eyi from engaging in any football-related activities at both national and international levels.
“The adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Eyi had breached Article 24 (Protection of physical and mental integrity) and Article 26 (Abuse of position) of the FIFA Code of Ethics,” a FIFA statement read.
Eyi, who had been affiliated with the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT), is implicated in a broader abuse scandal within Gabonese football.
In 2021, reports emerged accusing him of overseeing a long-standing system of exploitation of young players in the country. His actions have sparked renewed calls for stronger measures to protect young athletes from abuse.
The decision comes as part of FIFA’s wider effort to address and prevent abuse in football, with the organisation and other governing bodies intensifying their regulations to safeguard young players.
