The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Ms Nella Joseph, supervisor of the U-20 women’s national team at the Haitian Football Association (FHF), guilty of having failed to protect the physical and mental integrity of various female players who were under her authority and responsibility at the Centre Technique National in Croix-des-Bouquets (Haiti), in particular by actively coercing and threatening them into engaging in sexual relationships with Mr Yves Jean-Bart (the former FHF president), in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

The aforementioned ethics proceedings are part of an extensive investigation concerning Mr Jean-Bart and other officials at 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, including minors, between 2014 and 2020. The proceedings are still pending with respect to other FHF officials.

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 ten years. In addition, a fine in the amount of CHF 20,000 has been imposed on Ms Joseph.

The decision was notified to Ms Joseph today, the date on which the ban comes into force, and has been published on legal.fifa.com.