Concern grows over investigation into alleged sexual abuse in Gabonese football

The international players’ union has expressed “deep concerns” over the handling of the investigation into widespread sexual abuse in Gabon after it received allegations that individuals with close ties to the country’s football federation have issued threats against alleged victims and alleged witnesses “in an attempt to silence them”.

Fifpro has called on Fifa to intervene after several alleged victims and multiple alleged witnesses gave testimonies that claimed there were “a series of high-profile and serial abusers, who are deeply embedded in Gabonese footballing structures”. The investigation into allegations of widespread sexual abuse in Gabonese football over the last two decades was opened by the Gabon federation, Fegafoot, in December after Patrick Assoumou Eyi – known as “Capello” – was accused of raping, grooming and exploiting young players.

He and two other coaches are facing charges of raping minors and sexual assault after claims by alleged victims were reported by the Guardian, while Serge Mombo - a leading Fegafoot official - was arrested after being accused of sexually abusing young players and demanding sex as a condition of them securing places in national teams. All four have denied the claims.

Last month, Fifpro wrote to Fifa outlining its concerns that Fegafoot had a conflict of interest and was “therefore not fit for purpose to investigate such serious allegations.” But in a statement on Monday, it said that it had received no satisfactory response to those concerns and had therefore initiated a preliminary and independent investigation last year.

“The findings of those preliminary investigations are deeply concerning,” said the statement. “We have identified several [people] who spoke of a series