The Ban Before the Verdict in Gabonese Football

FIFA provisionally banned Serge Ahmed Mombo, Triphel Mabicka, and Orphée Mickala from taking part in any football activity on May 3, 2022. The restriction covered sporting and administrative roles. That day, FIFA opened formal proceedings against the three officials and Patrick Assoumou Eyi. The proceedings established a disciplinary case, not a finding of guilt.

FIFA's Ethics Committee had initiated preliminary investigation proceedings in December 2021. The investigatory chamber opened formal proceedings after a request by its chairman. FIFA said the sanctions were connected to ongoing criminal investigations into Gabonese football officials. It identified the officials as allegedly involved in acts of systematic sexual abuse against minor players.

On January 25, 2022, Gabon Review reported that Mombo was stopped at Libreville's Léon Mba International Airport. The publication attributed the information to journalist Romain Molina and linked it to Molina's earlier disclosure of a sexual-abuse scandal in Gabonese football. The account placed Mombo's reported encounter with authorities months before FIFA announced its formal proceedings.

FIFA also extended the provisional suspension of Patrick Assoumou Eyi to have worldwide effect. The extension applied beyond the existing federation suspension while the proceedings and criminal investigations continued. FIFA's action against the other three officials separately barred them from football activity for 90 days.

Gabon Review said the 90-day suspension meant Mombo would not accompany the Gabon national team for at least three months. The provisional ban reached both the field and the administrative offices, and the reported consequence was that Mombo could not travel with the national team during that period.