Fifa bans former Haiti team supervisor as part of sexual abuse investigation
Fifa’s Ethics Committee has banned another former employee of the Haitian Football Association (FHF) for 10 years as part of its investigation into sexual abuse claims.
Nella Joseph – the supervisor of Haiti’s Under-20 women’s national team who was based at the Centre Technique National in Croix-des-Bouquets – was found guilty of having failed to protect the physical and mental integrity of various female players who were under her authority and “by actively coercing and threatening them into engaging in sexual relationships with Mr Yves JeanBart”.
Following a Guardian investigation, Jean-Bart – the former FHF president – was banned from all football-related activities last year and fined 1m Swiss francs (£827,000) after being found him guilty of having sexually harassed and abused female players, including minors. Joseph – who was also fined
– was alleged to have helped facilitate abuse by the FHF’s former technical director.
Fifa’s statement on Monday said: “In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber found that Ms Joseph had breached art. 23 (Protection of physical and mental integrity) of the Fifa Code of Ethics and sanctioned her with a ban from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level for a duration of 10 years.”
Last week, the Ethics Committee banned Yvette Félix, a former assistant coach and equipment manager, for five years as part of its investigation. Former technical director Wilner Etienne and the FHF’s former head of referees, Rosnick Grant, are both awaiting their verdicts having also been suspended.
“The proceedings are still pending with respect to other FHF officials,” Fifa’s statement added.