Fifa has issued a lifetime ban on Patrick Assoumou Eyi, the former head coach of Gabon’s national youth teams, after finding him guilty of sexually abusing multiple young boys throughout his career.
Eyi, widely known as “Capello,” was a key figure in Gabonese football for decades and held significant influence over young players aspiring to play at the national level. His case is part of a much larger pattern of abuse that has plagued Gabonese football for years.
The ban follows a 2023 BBC Africa Eye investigation that exposed a widespread network of sexual abuse in Gabonese football. Several victims accused Eyi of grooming, exploiting, and raping young players, with some incidents dating back as far as 2006. Fifa’s independent ethics committee launched an investigation into his actions after initial reports emerged in 2021. Alongside the lifetime ban, Eyi has been fined one million Swiss francs (£880,000; $1.1m) and remains in prison.
While many have welcomed Fifa’s decision, officials at the global players’ union Fifpro stress that this is only the beginning. Loic Alves, legal counsel at Fifpro, called it a “positive first step” but emphasized that Eyi is “just one man that has been sanctioned,” while “many more perpetrators” remain active within Gabonese football. His statement reflects the concerns of victims who say the abuse extends far beyond a single individual.
One of Eyi’s alleged victims, speaking anonymously to the BBC, said he was pleased with the ban but frustrated that the response has not been more comprehensive. “I don’t want us to stop there. It’s a whole network, a system that needs to be dismantled, with many predators running free,” he said. His concerns align with findings from BBC Africa’s investigation, which interviewed over 30 witnesses and uncovered evidence of systemic abuse spanning more than 30 years.
Victims have described being abused as teenagers while attending football camps and training programs. One former Gabonese international said he was assaulted repeatedly from the age of 14, while another recalled the fear and silence that allowed the abuse to continue unchecked. The power dynamics within Gabonese football made it nearly impossible for young players to speak out, as their careers often depended on figures like Eyi.
Beyond the individual perpetrators, attention has also turned to governing bodies such as Fifa and Gabon’s football federation, Fegafoot. Both organizations have faced criticism for failing to protect young players and allowing abuse to persist for years. Despite mounting allegations, they have denied any wrongdoing. However, their inaction raises questions about whether they have done enough to prevent abuse and support victims.
The case in Gabon is not an isolated incident but part of a global problem of sexual abuse in sports. Similar scandals have surfaced in football, gymnastics, and other disciplines worldwide, revealing deep-rooted failures in athlete protection. Stronger policies, independent oversight, and cultural changes are needed to break the cycle of abuse and ensure the safety of young players.
While Eyi’s punishment is a step in the right direction, it will mean little if systemic reforms are not implemented. Authorities must go beyond punishing individuals and address the structures that allowed the abuse to thrive. Until that happens, young athletes in Gabon and beyond will continue to be at risk.
