On charges of sexually assaulting a minor player
FIFA announced today, Friday, the suspension of Jonathan Bukabakwa, a former youth coach in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and banning him from engaging in any football-related activity for 20 years, after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor player. The Judicial Chamber of the Independent Ethics Commission also ruled to fine Pukapakwa an amount of 100,000 Swiss francs.
A coach in Congo was suspended for 20 years
FIFA said in an official statement, “This case made headlines after many media reports reported serious allegations related to the sexual exploitation of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Football Federation, where the accusations focused specifically on a number of coaches in various provinces and regional leagues in the country of sexually assaulting minor players.” Which led to Pukapakwa being provisionally banned for five months earlier this year.
The statement added that, when deciding this case, the Judicial Chamber took into account the evidence it was able to collect during the investigations, concluding that Mr. Bukabakwa had violated Article 24 of the Code of Ethics (relating to the protection of physical and mental integrity). Mr. Bukabakwa has been informed of the details of this decision, and the date on which the suspension and ban will take effect, and he will be informed within 60 days of the reasons for this decision, in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Ethics.
FIFA concluded its statement by saying: “This decision taken by the Judicial Chamber is in line with FIFA’s approach of zero tolerance for any form of abuse in football, as FIFA has regularly worked to update its regulatory framework in recent years to provide greater protection for victims of discrimination and abuse.” Or sexual harassment."