A former coach of the Caen hopes center accused of rape by one of his players

In its Saturday edition, the daily 20 Minutes revealed the indictment, last November, of a former coach of the hopes pole of Caen (and also former pro player of the club of the Norman city). He is accused of rape by one of his former players. The facts would have occurred in 2002. The young woman, named Valérie – who was then a professional player – was 14 years old at that time, and the coach she accuses was 26. This one is indicted For “rape of a 15-year-old minor by a person abusing the authority conferred on him by his position”. He was released under judicial supervision.

According to Valérie, the coach first multiplied the phone calls to his mother’s home. ” He said he was in love, that I was the woman of his lifecan we read on 20minutes.fr. I was 14 and a half. He insisted that I not tell anyone. He told me that if I talked about it, he would be in trouble. “Then a sexual relationship would have taken place:” It happens, I don’t struggle, I don’t scream, but it’s him who decides, who chooses for me. I was like lobotomized, he was twice my age ».

A meeting in 2003 with the management of the Hope Pole?

For Me Lejeune, the young woman’s lawyer, now 35, ” there is a double vulnerability. That linked to his young age obviously, but also to the fact that this man is one of his coaches. In the sports world, the word of the coach is rarely questioned, it is not questioned “. Valérie then explained that she had suffered a strong influence from her trainer, constantly receiving phone calls from him and finding herself cut off from her friends.

A club executive reportedly told investigators that rumors had circulated within the club and led to an informal meeting between management and some players including Valérie. According to 20 Minutes, the latter were reprimanded, accused of spreading rumors that could harm the coach. The latter would have disputed the accusations and declared to have had only professional relations with his accuser. Valérie said she suffered forced sex until 2004.

Administrative procedure and precautionary measures

An administrative procedure was carried out by a branch of the Ministry of Education and Sports. Contacted by 20 Minutes, the service in question only replied that it had transferred the procedure to the competent services. Without mentioning any decision. The daily specifies that the French Federation was made aware of the case after a report from the Caen judicial court.

« An investigation has been carried out and precautionary measures have been taken pending a possible judicial decision: he can no longer, until further notice, train minors “, we read on the site of 20 Minutes. The coach accused of rape now officiates in men’s N1, with major players only. His alleged victim, who has become a PE teacher, has been on sick leave for two years.