FIFA extends investigation of underage sexual abuse in Gabon

ZURICH –

FIFA has suspended four FIFA officials in connection with an investigation into alleged underage sexual abuse in Gabon.

FIFA saidIt opened formal proceedings against Patrick Assoumou Eyi (league official Serge Mombo), and Triphel Mickala and Orphee Mulkala, the ethics committee. Eyi, a former coach for the national under-17 team, is accused of raping boys.

After a British newspaper, The Guardian published statements from alleged victims in December, the investigation was launched. They said they were lured to Eyi’s home which he called the “Garden of Eden.”

The Gabonese Football Association suspended Eyi in December. FIFA extended the ban to all countries and provisionally to the three other officials.

“These sanctions have been imposed in connection with ongoing criminal investigations,” FIFA saidMake a statement.

FIFA ethics investigators received a report from FIFPRO, the global players association. said abuse of underage boys in Gabon was “deeply embedded” in soccer there and was “an open secret that was not addressed for years.”

The union also alleged people “with close ties” to the Gabonese FA made threats to players and witnesses during the investigation.

Gabon is the latest country to be investigated for its soccer federation’s systematic sexual abuse. FIFA ethics judges had previously expelled officials from Haiti and Afghanistan.