FIFA, the international governing body of football, has imposed a lifetime ban on Patrick Assoumou Eyi, popularly known as “Capello”. As a former coach of Gabon’s under-17 team, Eyi was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual abuse perpetrated against numerous players under his care.
The verdict follows Eyi’s self-confession to the charges of rape, grooming, and exploitation of young footballers. The accusations initially came to light in 2021, when The Guardian reported the shocking revelations made by one of his former mentees. In a chilling account, the player disclosed that Eyi lured his victims to his residence, ominously referred to as the “Garden of Eden.”
The allegations triggered an immediate response from FIFA, which provisionally suspended Eyi in 2021 as its independent ethics committee initiated an investigation into the matter. The culmination of this inquiry was the announcement made on Tuesday, confirming Eyi’s permanent expulsion from all football-related activities. Furthermore, FIFA has imposed a fine of 1 million Swiss francs (£878,000) on the disgraced coach.
The probe into Eyi’s misconduct unraveled disturbing accounts of at least four male football players who fell prey to his sexual abuse between 2006 and 2021. It’s worth noting that most of these incidents transpired when the players were underage, further enhancing the gravity of Eyi’s actions.
FIFA’s decision to ban Eyi from all football-related activities for life is an unequivocal message against any form of misconduct within the sport. It underscores the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment for players, particularly minors who are vulnerable to such exploitative practices. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent measures to protect young players and ensure that their dreams of football glory are not marred by such horrific experiences.
