Former Gabon youth-team coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi, known as “Capello,” has received a lifetime ban from FIFA due to his conviction for sexually abusing multiple players. Eyi, who left his position as head coach of Gabon’s under-17 team in 2017, confessed to charges of raping, grooming, and exploiting young players, following allegations that were initially reported by The Guardian in 2021.
One former player who was coached by Eyi claimed that the coach would entice alleged victims to his home, which he referred to as the “Garden of Eden.”
FIFA provisionally suspended Eyi when the claims were first made in 2021 and has now confirmed his lifetime ban from all football-related activities. Fifa has also fined Eyi 1m Swiss francs (£878,000). The investigation found Eyi guilty of violating article 24 (Protection of physical and mental integrity) and article 26 (Abuse of position) of the FIFA code of ethics. The organization is also investigating allegations that the president, Pierre-Alain Mounguengui, did not report this and other instances of sexual abuse by coaches to Gabon’s authorities.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/05/former-gabon-youth-coach-patrick-assoumou-eyi-banned-for-life-by-fifa-over-sexual-abuse-of-players
