In recent years, Gabon has been rocked by a shocking scandal of sexual abuse within its football community. Reports have surfaced detailing decades-long misconduct, exposing a network of predators that preyed on young athletes at all levels of the game. The allegations date back to the early 1990s, and victims have come forward to share their harrowing experiences.
One victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, described his ordeal at an Under-17 football camp. He and his best friend were woken up in the middle of the night and taken to a room illuminated by red lights, where they encountered a group of naked men. Unable to comprehend what was happening, the victim prayed desperately to escape the horrifying situation. Tragically, his pleas fell on deaf ears as he was subjected to sexual assault, witnessing his friend’s violation as well. Threats of harm to him and his family silenced him, and his dreams of playing for Gabon were shattered forever.
The accounts of abuse have been corroborated by numerous witnesses, some of whom attempted to raise the alarm over the years. In 2019, former Gabon international Parfait Ndong established an academy to provide young players with a safe environment. When Ndong discovered the rampant abuse, he contacted various authorities, only to be met with indifference and a refusal to address the issue. It was not until a British newspaper exposed the scandal in 2021 that the perpetrators were finally arrested, with one of the key figures being long-time national youth team coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi, also known as “Capello.”
The failure of football’s governing bodies to prevent the abuse and protect young athletes has raised serious questions about their accountability. FIFA’s independent ethics committee initiated a preliminary investigation into Capello’s alleged crimes, suspending him from all football-related activities. However, the decision to allow Gabon’s national football federation, Fegafoot, to lead the investigation in the initial stages was criticized for constituting a conflict of interest. FIFA’s child safeguarding policy states that suspending staff members during external investigations should be standard practice, but this was not applied consistently.
The president of Fegafoot, Pierre-Alain Mounguengui, has also faced intense scrutiny. Despite the serious allegations and calls for his resignation, he remained in power and was even re-elected in April 2022. His subsequent arrest for “failing to report crimes of paedophilia” did not result in a suspension by FIFA, and he continued to manage Fegafoot from prison. This has sparked outrage among those demanding justice, as Capello’s suspension contrasted with Mounguengui’s perceived impunity.
The lack of decisive action and the apparent protection of those in power have fueled speculation that the abuse may still be ongoing. Several individuals who have spoken out fear for the safety of current and future generations of footballers in Gabon. They believe that the network of abusers extends beyond Capello, potentially involving thousands of young boys who have suffered in silence.
The Gabonese football community is divided, with some figures like Remy Ebanega and Parfait Ndong vocal in their criticism of the authorities’ handling of the scandal. They question why Mounguengui was not suspended during the investigation, and they cast doubt on the effectiveness of the Fegafoot ethics committee’s actions. Ebanega, who established Gabon’s first professional football players’ union, points to the lack of response from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as further evidence of a failure to address the issue adequately.
The impact of this scandal extends beyond the world of football. It raises larger concerns about child protection and the responsibility of institutions to safeguard vulnerable individuals. The failure to promptly address the allegations and hold those responsible accountable perpetuates a culture of silence and allows abusers to continue operating unchecked.
Moving forward, it is crucial for the authorities to take comprehensive action to address the abuse in Gabon’s football community. This includes conducting a thorough investigation, ensuring the protection and support of victims, implementing robust child safeguarding policies, and holding all perpetrators accountable, regardless of their positions. Additionally, FIFA and other governing bodies must reevaluate their own protocols to prevent similar scandals from occurring in the future.
The Gabonese people, particularly young athletes and their families, deserve assurance that their passion for football will not expose them to such devastating abuse. It is essential to rebuild trust in the sport and the institutions that oversee it. Only through transparency, accountability, and meaningful action can Gabon’s football community begin to heal and prevent the repetition of such horrors in the future.
