Motsepe under fire for his prison visit to Mounguengui in Gabon who is awaiting trial for sexual abuse

September 2 – The global players' union Fifpro and alleged victims of sexual abuse have criticized Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe for visiting Gabon FA president Pierre -Alain Mounguengui (photo), accused of covering up widespread sexual abuse. .

Mounguengui is awaiting trial and faces up to three years in prison if found guilty of failing to report allegations of sexual abuse in domestic gambling to Gabonese authorities, but that hasn't stopped the Motsepe to visit Mounguengui, re-elected for a third sentence, at the Gros Bouquet central prison in Libreville during an official visit to Gabon this month.

He presented a pennant to Mounguengui on which was written "The President Dr. Patrice Motsepe to Mr. Pierre Alain Mounguengui President of the Gabonese Football Federation". With our compliments,” according to The Guardian newspaper.

Motsepe also met with the country's head of state, Ali Bongo, at the time, and Mounguengui was one of the main topics of discussion between the two men.

In a statement, the South African said he "spent time discussing a number of issues and challenges facing football in Gabon and Africa. The challenges of Gabonese football must be resolved in accordance with the Gabonese legal system and the articles and regulations of CAF and FIFA”.

However, Fifpro and the alleged victims reacted with disbelief. The players' union said it was "astonished to learn of the latest efforts by the highest representatives of football in Africa to intervene in an ongoing criminal prosecution".

"We understand that CAF officials are not involved in the investigation in Gabon and are therefore unaware of the evidence gathered by prosecutors. That CAF leaders are again trying to influence the criminal proceedings is deeply concerning and shows a lack of respect and empathy for victims and survivors. By acting in this way, they increase the risks to the mental health and safety of victims and survivors, and endanger the trust of this group in the survey."

The alleged victims expressed their "disgust and sadness".

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