Charged with rape, athletics trainer suspended for life

An athletics coach and ex-manager of a Saint-Germain-en-Laye was banned from training for life by the prefecture of
Yvelines and suspended for 30 years by the French Federation
athletics (FFA) for acts of sexual violence, AFP learned Tuesday from corroborating sources.

The 42-year-old man, a longtime coach and leader of the Western Athletic Club 78 (CAO78), was indicted in early July by the courts for rapes and sexual harassment on seven young girls aged 16 to 18 and all members of the club at the time of the facts, between 2007 and 2019. The club, meeting in general assembly on July 30, voted its dissolution, effective on August 31.

Complainants “weakened”

Following a report on December 30, 2019, the Departmental Directorate of Social Cohesion of Yvelines (DDCS) organized hearings in early January and temporarily suspended the coach. After six months of administrative investigation, the Departmental Council of Youth, Sports and Associative Life (CDJSVA) unanimously proposed on July 9 a life sanction, followed by the prefect.

At the same time, the FFA disciplinary commission suspended the coach for 30 years, who appealed against his sanction and who also intends to challenge his administrative suspension, AFP learned from his lawyer. “The two sanctions are for me very early compared to the reality of the file”, estimated Me Charles Thuillier. “We are in a gray area, with consensual relationships, which were romantic relationships for my client. I find that the complainant is more emphasized than the defense. These decisions are incredibly violent for my client. A source close to the investigation describes the plaintiffs “weakened and isolated” by someone “who had authority over these young girls. They did whatever he said. “

For several months, French sport has known a wave of revelations sexual assault in its structures. The Minister of Sports
Roxana Maracineanu in early July, there were 180 people involved in alleged cases of sexual violence.

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