Sports
FIFA suspends Haiti football boss accused of rape
FIFA on Monday suspended the president of Haiti’s football federation for 90 days, pending an investigation into allegations he sexually abused teenage girls at the national training centre.
Yves Jean-Bart, 73, categorically denies accusations that he raped several young female footballers at a training facility outside Port-au-Prince over the course of the past five years.
“In accordance with articles 84 and 85 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, the investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has provisionally banned Mr Yves Jean-Bart, President of the Haitian Football Federation (FHF), from all football-related activities at both national and international level, for a period of 90 days,” FIFA said on Monday in a statement.
“This sanction has been imposed in connection with ongoing investigations concerning Mr Jean-Bart. Mr Jean-Bart was notified of the decision. The provisional sanction comes into force immediately.”
Haitian police have launched a probe into the allegations, first revealed late last month, and a judge has already summoned several federation employees to answer questions.
According to young women quoted in an article published by The Guardian in late April, Jean-Bart raped multiple underage players over the years.
Saying they had been pressured to remain silent, the alleged victims told the newspaper on condition of anonymity that at least two underage players had to get abortions after Jean-Bart assaulted them.
“We think that this is a good decision by FIFA because we realised that Yves Jean-Bart and his cartel can overshadow any judicial investigation,” said Marie-Rosy Auguste Ducena of the National Network for the Defence of Human Rights (RNDDH).
Criticising the code of silence that she says hangs over the sports industry, Ducena noted that “rumours of sexual bargains for football benefits have been circulating in the country for a long time”.
Jean-Bart has led the country’s football federation for two decades. His re-election in February for a sixth term was a mere formality – he ran unopposed.
When contacted by AFP for comment, he did not respond. – AFP
Sports
Bukari, Forson Amankwah, Schindler, others join Black Stars for upcoming qualifiers
Osman Bukari (Austin FC), Ransford Yeboah Koningsdorffer (Hamburger SV), Forson Amankwah (Norwich City), Terry Yegbe (IF Elfsborg), Ebenezer Annan (OFK Beograd) and Kingsley Schindler (Samsunspor) will join the Black Stars ahead of crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
These players replace Joseph Paintsil, Antoine Semenyo, Ibrahim Osman, Tariq Lamptey, Jerome Opoku, and Inaki Williams, who are unavailable. Ghana faces Angola on Friday, November 15 and host Niger on Monday, November 18, 2024.
The team trains at Accra Sports Stadium, starting Monday, November 11, at 5 p.m.
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Premier League: Gold Stars FC maintain unbeaten start; Nations FC smash Nsoatreman; Kotoko fall to Bechem United
Gold Stars FC maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a remarkable draw at Young Apostles FC, Nations FC crashed Nsoatreman FC while Asante Kotoko are without a win in their last three Premier League matches.
Young Apostles 0-0 Gold Stars FC
Gold Stars FC maintained their unbeaten run in the Premier League as they shared a goalless draw with Young Apostles FC at the Wenchi Stadium on Sunday.
Frimpong Manso’s side have now gone 10 matches without a defeat but have seen their three-point lead at the top of the table cut to just one following the stalemate.
The home side dominated possession as expected, but were tested by the visitors on several occasions at the Nana Abrefa Nketiah VII Stadium in Wenchi as the two teams shared the spoils.
The Bibiani-based side are top of the table with 20 points from 10 games, while Young Apostles have slipped to 14th in the table.
Bechem United 1-0 Asante Kotoko SC
Asante Kotoko are without a win in three matches after losing 1-0 at Bechem United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Kofi Tompuo’s spectacular volley in the 27th minute separated the two teams at the Nana Gyeabour Park in Bechem.
The Porcupine Warriors have dropped out of the top four as they now lie 6th in the table with United placed in mid-table.
Nations FC 3-0 Nsoatreman
Nations FC made light work of Nsoatreman FC after hammering the visitors 3-0 in Sunday’s match day 10 fixture in the Premier League.
In-form wideman Faisal Charwetey continued his fine form with a brace after Bi Boris had opened the scoring for the home side.
Boris scored first in the 7th minute before Charwetey added further goals in the 10th and 18th minute to complete the rout at the Dr.Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.
Charwetey, who has now scored seven goals in 10 matches, is the leading top scorer in the 2024-25 Premier League so far.
Nations are just a point behind leaders Gold Stars FC in second place with 19 points.
Aduana FC 1-0 Karela United
Aduana FC continued their resurgence with a solitary 1-0 win over Karela United at home on Sunday.
Gideon Boateng scored the only goal of the match to separate the two teams at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park.
The Fire Club has now moved up to 11th in the table with 11 points while United are just a point above the bottom three.
Basake Holy Stars 2-1 Accra Lions
Basake Holy Stars rallied from behind to beat Accra Lions 2-1 at the Crosby Awuah Memorial (C.A.M) Park on Sunday.
Holy Stars goalkeeper Dubi Kassi Tayi guided the ball into his own net in the 33rd minute before Prince Tweneboah grabbed a sensational brace in the 63rd and 91st minute.
The match appeared to be heading to a 1-1 draw until Tweneboah stepped up with the decisive goal in added time.
The Aiyinase-based side lie 10th in the table with 12 points while Accra Lions lie in the bottom three.
Heart of Lions 1-0 Berekum Chelsea
Heart of Lions recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Berekum Chelsea at home on Sunday to jump into the top four.
Christian Agyenim Boateng’s second half strike was all that Lions needed to wrap up a win at the Kpando Stadium.
Lions have now jumped to third in the table with 17 points, just three behind leaders Gold Stars FC while Chelsea have slipped to 8th in the table.
FC Samartex 1996 1-0 Legon Cities
Seidu Abubakar scored in stoppage time for FC Samartex 1996 in their 1-0 win over Legon Cities at home on Sunday.
The visitors will feel heartbroken after holding the defending champions until the 90th minute when Abubakar slotted home the decisive goal to down the Royals at the Nsenkyire Arena.
Samartex have jumped to 4th in the table with 17 points while Legon Cities remain in the bottom three.