Patrick Assoumou Eyi – known as “Capello” allegedly raped, groomed and exploited several young players during his time as coach of the Gabon U17 side, and in his current position as technical director of the La Ligue de l’Estuaire, Gabon’s first-division league.
On Monday, Gabon Police arrested Eyi, a week after he was provisionally suspended by the Gabonese Football federation Fegafoot, pending an investigation, after accusations by the alleged victims came to light following multiple reports.
Eyi initially refused to respond to any of the accusations, following which he unequivocally denied any wrongdoing. He remarked that he was “a victim of my skills”.
“I am not the man described to you, which is why in your investigations you will only find embittered, jealous people who live in the imagination. What is happening in Gabonese football, can it be summed up by me alone?”
he said in a conversation with the BBC.
Eyi has also been stripped of his role as general secretary of the AEEFG, Gabon’s association of football coaches, awaiting the outcome of the investigation to be carried out by Fegafoot.
The Gabonese Government has also decided to hold a judicial investigation into sexual abuse against youngsters and children in the country, after president Ali Bongo conceded that it was “a serious issue”.
Since the allegations were made, quite a few testimonies have been made in support of the victims, including former Gabon internationals Brice Makaya and Armand Ossey, who have claimed that they have also been victims of Eyi’s nefarious activities.
The supposed victims of the senior coach have been asked to present their testimonies to the competent authorities as a part of the investigation currently being carried out by the local football federation. An independent ethics committee has also been set up, which will look into this matter, and have decided to collect testimonies and other forms of evidence till December 31.
The National Association of Professional Footballers of Gabon, has also received testimonies from various individuals detailing their struggles with sexual abuse, and the union is believed to be in the process of establishing support systems to help such players.
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