In response to the lifting of the lifetime ban by Haiti’s ex-leader Yves Jean-Bart over abuse allegations, FIFA has appealed the verdict.
The decision of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) shows “some very serious formal and material deficiencies”, said the world football association. For this reason, FIFA lodged a complaint with the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
Serious allegations
In November 2020, the FIFA Ethics Committee banned the ex-president of the Haitian Football Association for life from football activities because of allegations of sexual abuse of some underage players. In addition, Jean-Bart was sentenced to a fine of one million Swiss francs (about one million euros). In mid-February, the Cas granted Jean-Bart’s appeal and lifted the ban due to insufficient evidence.
The human rights organization Human Rights Watch and the players’ union Fifpro sharply criticized the verdict. Jean-Bart rejected the allegations as a smear campaign against him and announced his return to the top of the FHF association.
In its statement, FIFA criticized the fact that important evidence submitted by it was not included in the Cas decision. With the complaint to the Swiss Federal Court, the association applied for the reversal and rejection of the judgment to the Cas. “FIFA remains fully committed to protecting victims of sexual abuse and misconduct in football and will not tolerate such acts in the future,” the statement said.