At the beginning of November 2022, serious allegations related to the sexual abuse of minors in the DR Congo Football Association (FECOFA) were made on several media platforms. In particular, various football coaches of different regions and leagues in the country were accused of having abused minor players. Consequently, the investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee initiated preliminary investigations against several coaches in DR Congo, including Jonathan Bukabakwa, former youth coach at clubs of the Urban Football Agreement of the regions of Lipopo and Malebo (EUFKIN-Lipopo and EUFKIN-Malebo). On February 16, taking into account the relevant information and documentation obtained throughout the preliminary stage of the investigations, the investigatory chamber determined that, pursuant to article 62 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (“FCE”), there was a prima facie case. It, therefore, decided to open formal investigation proceedings against Bukabakwa for possible violations of article 24 of the FCE. The investigatory chamber additionally requested that the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee impose provisional sanctions against Bukabakwa in accordance with article 86 paragraph 1 of the FCE. On March 20, following the request of the investigatory chamber, the chairperson of the adjudicatory chamber decided to provisionally suspend Bukabakwa from taking part in any football-related activities (both at national and international level) for a period of five months, pursuant to article 86 of the FCE. The relevant decision was notified to Bukabakwa on March 23, the date on which the suspension comes into force.
