Media Release

Fédération Internationale de Football Association

FIFA Strasse 20, P.O Box 8044 Zurich, Switzerland, +41 (0) 43 222 7777

Thursday 20 August 2020, 09:30

Independent Ethics Committee extends provisional ban on Yves Jean-Bart and sanctions other Haitian football officials

Following a request by the chairwoman of the investigatory chamber, and in accordance with article 85 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE), the provisional ban imposed on 25 May 2020 on Yves Jean-Bart, the President of the Haitian Football Association (FHF), has been extended by the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber for an additional period of 90 days, which will start upon the expiry of the initial 90-day ban. During this time, Mr Jean-Bart will continue to be banned from taking part in any football-related activity at both national and international level.

This sanction has been imposed in connection with ongoing investigations into Mr Jean-Bart, as well as other officials within the FHF, who were identified as having allegedly been involved (as principals, accomplices or instigators) in acts of systematic sexual abuse against female football players.

In this respect, the investigatory chamber has expanded the scope of the aforementioned investigations by opening formal proceedings against Nela Joseph (girls’ supervisor at the Centre Technique National in Croix-des-Bouquets) and Wilner Etienne (Technical Director of the FHF). The chairwoman of the investigatory chamber has also provisionally banned the two officials from taking part in any football activity (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level for a period of 90 days, in accordance with articles 84 and 85 of the FCE.

Furthermore, preliminary investigation proceedings are currently being carried out that include the analysis of potential offences committed by other FHF/Haitian officials.

The decisions taken by the chairpersons of the adjudicatory and investigatory chambers of the Ethics Committee have been duly notified to Mr Jean-Bart, Ms Joseph and Mr Etienne.