Football sexual violence investigation examines systemic failures

An investigation by the program ‘Enquête Exclusive’ examines the prevalence of sexual violence within the world of sports, specifically focusing on football. The report highlights a Council of Europe finding suggesting that one in seven children is a victim of sexual assault in sports environments.

The investigation explores how the system fails to protect young athletes, ranging from amateur clubs to professional structures. It details how predators, such as former recruiter Ahmed Gueninèche, have exploited their positions of trust to target vulnerable youth. Gueninèche, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping minors, reportedly had contact with over 1,500 young people across various clubs, including AJ Auxerre and FC Nantes, over a thirty-year period.