a Yvelines athletics coach suspended for life

An athletics trainer and former manager of a Saint-Germain-en-Laye club has been banned from training for life by the Yvelines prefecture for acts of sexual violence, Agence France-Presse has learned (AFP ) Tuesday August 18 from corroborating sources.

Aged 42, trainer and long-time leader of the West Athletic Club 78 (CAO78), he was indicted in early July by the courts for rape and sexual harassment of seven young girls aged 16 to 18, all members of the club at the time of the facts, between 2007 and 2019. The club, meeting in general assembly on July 30, also voted its dissolution, which will take effect on August 31.

Following a report on December 30, 2019, the departmental direction of social cohesion (DDCS) of Yvelines had organized hearings in early January and temporarily suspended the coach. It is after six months of administrative investigation that the departmental council of youth, sports and associative life (CDJSVA) unanimously proposed on July 9 a life sanction, then followed by the prefect.

“They did everything he said”

At the same time, the disciplinary commission of the French Athletics Federation (FFA) suspended the coach for thirty years, who appealed against his sanction and who also intends to challenge his administrative suspension, AFP learned from his lawyer, Charles Thuillier. The complainants are described by investigators as “Weakened and isolated” by someone “Who had authority over these young girls. They did whatever he said ”.

“The two sanctions are for me very early compared to the reality of the file”, estimated Mr. 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. “

For several months, French sport has experienced a wave of revelations of sexual assault. The Minister of Sports, Roxana Maracineanu, at the beginning of July counted 180 people implicated in alleged cases of sexual violence.

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