Published on : 14/09/2021 – 20:52
On September 14, 2021, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) published an independent report on allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated within Malian basketball over the past two decades. The investigation, led by the team of jurist Richard McLaren, confirms the seriousness of the facts and denounces the obstructions of the Malian Federation (FMBB). However, she found no direct evidence against the current president of FIBA. Hamane Niang was accused by the daily The New York Times to have closed his eyes to cases, when he was the boss of the FMBB (1999-2007) then the Minister of Sports of Mali (2007-2011).
The report avoids citing the names of victims and places where sexual abuse has been committed since the late 1990s, ” to protect witnesses against possible reprisals “. Further proof of the seriousness of this vast affair within Malian basketball, revealed in June 2021 by the newspaper The New York Times puis l’ONG Human Rights Watch.
On September 14, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) posted independent investigation rendered by the team of jurist Richard McLaren (MITT). And it was difficult to lead, according to its authors. “ Witnesses interviewed by MIIT described a culture of fear, retaliation, and cover-ups related to victims of sexual abuse within the [Fédération malienne de basket-ball] (FMBB) over the decades. At least 22 of the potential witnesses refused to speak to MIIT, often for these reasons. »
MITT goes further: “ The FMBB played a role in these witness intimidation efforts and other actions aimed at obstructing the investigation, including contradictory, evasive and untrue testimony from several FMBB officials, including President (Harouna) Maiga. »
Several Malian basketball personalities targeted
Despite these obstacles, investigators report having ” direct evidence that Coach (Amadou) Bamba sexually assaulted multiple players, in addition to other forms of harassment and bullying “. They point out that “ MIIT has gathered evidence regarding other people and events of concern. This includes corroborated evidence against FMBB President Maiga, who was provisionally suspended by FIBA during the independent investigation for his conduct of obstructing the investigation and for lying to investigators about his knowledge. previous abuse […] ».
Other Malian basketball players are cited in this vast scandal, often for having disrupted the investigations or at least for not having acted to protect the athletes. FIBA, in a statement, states that it ” pronounce additional suspensions against three other members of the FMBB, pending the opening of disciplinary proceedings : trainer Fanta Diallou, general secretary [de la FMBB] Seydou Maiga and his vice-president Amadou Traoré ».
The investigators conclude: “ An institutionalized acceptance of the mistreatment of female players exists within the FMBB. And no action or effort has been made to recognize or correct this. »
“No direct evidence” against the boss of world basketball
The team mandated by FIBA, on the other hand, emphasizes that it has not found ” no direct evidence “Against the current boss of the International Basketball Federation:” The allegation in the New York Times that Hamane Niang ignored assaults on women for 12 years, from 1999 to 2011, a period during which he was first president of the FMBB and then Minister of Sports of Mali, cannot be supported by direct evidence. »
Satisfied with these conclusions, the Malian expressed himself through a press release: ” This investigation is of the utmost importance and I would like to express my personal and unconditional support to the victims. These infringements must be duly prosecuted by FIBA through independent procedures. Since the integrity officer has confirmed my innocence, I will now resume my official duties with FIBA. The former president of the African Confederation (FIBA Africa) stepped back on June 14.
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