FIFA bans Haiti women's soccer official in sexual abuse case

ZURICH (AP) - A soccer official in Haiti was banned for 10 years on Monday for her part in the systematic sexual abuse of women's national team players.

FIFA ethics judges ruled Nella Joseph, former supervisor of the Haiti Under-20 women's team, was guilty of 'œactively coercing and threatening (players) into engaging in sexual relationships'ť with the then-president of the Haitian Football Association.

FIFA expelled the long-time former Haitian FA president, Yves Jean-Bart, from soccer for life last year.

A FIFA judgment in Jean-Bart's case said he raped girls as young as 14 and took 'œhabitual mistresses'ť among players starting in 2014.

Joseph 'œfailed to protect the physical and mental integrity of various female players who were under her authority and responsibility'ť at the national training center in Haiti, FIFA said in a statement.

She was also fined 20,000 Swiss francs ($22,000).

FIFA said its ethics committee is working on other cases pending against Haitian soccer officials.

The allegations were first revealed in British newspaper The Guardian in April 2020.

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