FIFA bans former Gabonese youth coach for life over sexual abuse scandal

FIFA has handed a lifetime ban to former Gabonese youth coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi after finding him guilty of sexually abusing multiple young players throughout his career.

Eyi, widely known as "Capello," was exposed in a 2023 BBC Africa Eye investigation that revealed widespread abuse in Gabonese football. He had previously admitted to charges of raping, grooming, and exploiting young players.

An official from global players' union Fifpro described FIFA’s decision as a "positive first step" but stressed that "many more perpetrators" remain within Gabonese football.

FIFA’s ethics committee also fined Eyi one million Swiss francs (£880,000; $1.1m).

Despite the ruling, victims and advocates insist more needs to be done to dismantle the broader network of abuse that has plagued Gabonese football for decades.