Players union hail life ban for Gabon football coach over sexual abuse

FIFPRO, the global players’ union has welcomed the life ban imposed by FIFA on former Gabonese youth coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi for sexually abusing multiple players. Eyi, who coached Gabon’s under-17 team was found guilty of abusing his position and committing repeated acts of sexual abuse against multiple players between 2006 and 2021. He has been banned for life and fined one million Swiss francs ($1.13 million).
FIFA’s independent ethics committee found Patrick Assoumou Eyi guilty of sexually abusing multiple young footballers over a 15-year period. As a result, he has been banned for life from any football-related activities and fined one million Swiss francs.

FIFPRO stated that the ban is a positive step but highlighted the systemic nature of the problem, stating that the same governance system that allowed the abuse to occur remains in place.
Remy Ebanega, president of the Gabonese player union, stated that the abuse was widely known within Gabonese football, but many in power chose to turn a blind eye. He called for a full review of the Gabonese Football Federation’s suitability to govern football in Gabon.

In 2023, a BBC Africa Eye investigation revealed a number of allegations of sexual abuse in Gabonese football. The investigation included testimonies from over 30 witnesses, detailing a network of abuse that had affected all levels of Gabonese football for three decades.
Known widely as Capello, Eyi has held several positions of power within Gabonese football. He was the head coach of Gabon’s national youth teams for decades. He had the authority to decide who would play for the youth teams. This position of power made him a figure of authority and influence which he allegedly exploited to commit sexual abuse.
One of the alleged victims, who wished to remain anonymous expressed mixed feelings about the ban. While pleased with the decision, they mentioned the need to dismantle the entire network of abuse and hold more perpetrators accountable.
Both FIFPRO and the Gabonese player union have called for a comprehensive review of the Gabonese Football Federation’s (Fegafoot) governance. According to them, ignoring abuse is a clear breach of FIFA regulations and that the current system must be reformed to protect young players.
The life ban and fine imposed on Patrick Assoumou Eyi by FIFA are significant steps in addressing the sexual abuse scandal in Gabonese football. The global players’ union FIFPRO and the Gabonese player union highlight that more needs to be done to address these issues within the sport’s governance. The ongoing call for a full review of Fegafoot’s suitability to govern football in Gabon highlights the broader need for reform and accountability.