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Gabon鈥檚 dark football secret

For Assignment, 成人论坛 Africa Eye speaks to witnesses of a sexual abuse ring that plagued all levels of Gabonese football for three decades.

Gabon is football crazy and it鈥檚 the dream of most young footballers to play internationally. But, in 2022 a long serving coach for youth national teams admitted to charges of raping, grooming, and exploiting young players. He faces up to 30 years in prison.

成人论坛 Africa Eye鈥檚 Khadidiatou Ciss茅 travels to Gabon to investigate one of the biggest sexual abuse scandals in the history of football. She speaks with victims and eyewitnesses who reveal a shocking culture of sexual abuse and despair, with claims that many people knew, and many stayed silent. We follow a coach who, at personal risk, is determined to bring about change. Football鈥檚 world governing body, Fifa, is facing accusations of failing to take effective action over the scandal.

Presenter: Khadidiatou Ciss茅
Producer: Stephanie Stafford and Suzanne Vanhooymissen
成人论坛 Eye editors Rebecca Henschke and Tom Watson
Sound engineer: Neil Churchill
Assignment series editor: Penny Murphy

(Photo: Child holding football boots)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Thu 5 Oct 2023 19:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 5 Oct 2023 01:32GMT
  • Thu 5 Oct 2023 08:32GMT
  • Thu 5 Oct 2023 12:32GMT
  • Thu 5 Oct 2023 19:06GMT

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