FIFA has banned Patrick Assoumou Ay, a former Gabonian youth team coach known as “Capelo.”
Eyi, who left the post as head coach of Gabon's under 17 team in 2017, admitted to charges of rape, grooming and exploitation of young players following allegations first reported by the Guardian in 2021. One former player coached by EYI claimed that the coach would seduce the victims into his home, known as “Edon's Garden.”
FIFA tentatively halted when the claim was first made in 2021 and its independent ethics committee began an investigation. On Tuesday he was confirmed to have been subjected to a lifetime ban from all football-related activities and fined 1m Swiss franc (£878,000).
“EYI's investigation concerns complaints from at least four male football players who accused him of sexual abuse between 2006 and 2021. Most of these incidents occurred while the player was a minor,” read a FIFA statement.
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“In that decision, the arbitration room discovered that Mr. EYI had violated Article 24 (protection of physical and mental integrity), discovered Article 26 (abuse of status) of the FIFA Code of Ethics and approved him for lifetime bans from all football-related activities (management, sports, etc.) at both national and international levels. Additionally, Mr. EYI is subject to a fine of 1,000,000 CHF.”
It is understood that FIFA continues to investigate allegations that President Pierre-Alain Mounguengui failed to report allegations of sexual abuse by the EYI and many other coaches to Gabon authorities. The Guardian reported last January that independent investigators recommended a halt immediately.
International players' union, FifPro welcomed the ban issued to EYI, saying:
But he said he needs to do more work. “Gabon soccer is not safe until all the perpetrators and those who have enabled them are brought to justice,” Fifpro said.
The Guardian is approaching EYI for comments.
