FIFA Ethics Committee Suspends Coach In DR Congo For Sexual Abuse of Minors

A former youth coach, Jonathan Bukabakwa, at clubs of the Urban Football Agreement of the regions of Lipopo and Malebo (EUFKIN-Lipopo and EUFKIN-Malebo), has been provisionally suspended by the ethics committee of FIFA on issues related sexual abuses for a period of five month. The decision which took place on March 20, 2023 was officially notified to Mr. Bukabakwa today, and he is expected to stay away from any football-related activities both at the national and international level. A statement from APO Group, the Public Relations Agency of FIFA in Africa which was sent to Sports Intelligence Magazine stated that there were serious allegations at the beginning of November 2022 on sexual abuses on minors in the Congo DR Football Association (FECOFA) on several media platforms. A statement in part from the Press Release reads: On 16 February 2023, taking into account the relevant information and documentation obtained throughout the preliminary stage of the investigations, the investigatory chamber determined that, pursuant to article 62 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (“FCE”), there was a prima facie case and decided to open formal investigation proceedings against Mr Bukabakwa for possible violations of article 24 of the FCE. The investigatory chamber additionally requested that the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee impose provisional sanctions against Mr Bukabakwa in accordance with article 86 paragraph 1 of the FCE. On 20 March 2023, following the request of the investigatory chamber, the chairperson of the adjudicatory chamber decided to provisionally suspend Mr Bukabakwa from taking part in any football-related activities (both at national and international level) for a period of five months, pursuant to article 86 of the FCE. The relevant decision was notified to Mr Bukabakwa today, the date on which the suspension comes into force.