The former president of the Haitian federation wants to resume his duties

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The former president of the Haitian soccer federation, whose lifetime ban from the sport for allegations of sexual abuse was revoked last month, announced Wednesday that he intended to resume his duties.

Yves Jean-Bart’s challenge could lead to a conflict with FIFA, which has appointed a normalization commission to head the Haitian Football Federation until November.

Jean-Bart spoke during a virtual press conference, a week after the Haitian women’s team beat Chile 2-1 to qualify for the World Cup for the first time. This feat sparked celebrations across the country.

Jean-Bart has denied accusations made by FIFA’s Ethics Committee, which handed him a lifetime ban after convicting him in 2020 of sexually abusing several players, including children under 14 years, in addition to having lovers and harassing neighborhood girls. marginal.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Switzerland, overturned the veto two weeks ago, ruling that the statements of the alleged victims contained inconsistencies and inaccuracies. The CAS also determined that the information presented by third parties, including the organization Human Rights Watch and the international players’ union FIFPro, does not constitute “sufficient evidence”.

Jean-Bart, who was accompanied by several lawyers during the video conference, also said he would take legal action for alleged defamation against the freelance journalist who originally reported on the allegations made against him in the British newspaper The Guardian.

“He will take the initiative. Let them know now,” their attorney Stanley Gaston said.

Gaston added that Jean-Bart is battling cancer and it has not yet been determined if he will return to Haiti, noting that he can perform virtually all of his duties.

Another lawyer, Claude Ramoni, pointed out that Jean-Bart is no longer suspended and has the power to continue serving as president of the Haitian federation.

“He was elected president for four years and his term is not over, said Ramoni. He added that FIFA must recognize him as such. They must accept it”.

FIFA spokespersons did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has not been clarified whether FIFA should allow Jean-Bart to take over the presidency of the Haitian federation.

The emergency panel appointed by FIFA to manage the federation is headed by a Cuban official who will represent Haiti in Rwanda on March 16, when FIFA’s 211 member federations hold their annual congress.

FIFA could refuse to grant Jean-Bart the credentials to attend its events, including the Women’s World Cup which starts in July. The tournament has Australia and New Zealand as co-hosts.

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AP writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva contributed to this report. Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.