Judo Coach Sexual Assault Investigation

Coach Eric D., chosen at the end of 2024 by Teddy Riner, was targeted by a complaint for sexual assault towards 24-year-old judoka whom he hosted, according to Le Monde, accusations he “disputes firmly”, we learned on Thursday from his lawyer.

The young judoka, hosted by the 50-year-old coach at her home near Insep, filed a complaint for “sexual assault and image conservation obtained by privacy,” said the world, adding that a preliminary investigation entrusted to a Val-de-Marne police station is underway.

Contacted by AFP, neither the Créteil prosecutor’s office nor the complainant’s lawyer followed up.

If he “confirms that she has hosted Ms. LM, when she wished, or in practice two to three evenings a week between the end of 2021 and early 2024”, Éric D. “Contests the accusations brought against him, which are perfectly unfounded,” said his lawyer, Paul Guis, in a statement transmitted to AFP. He has not, for the time being, was not advised by a complaint or summoned by justice.

The complainant explained to the world having discovered a miniature camera hidden in a sock, on a shelf of the bathroom that she was alone to use, at the home of the former vice-champion of Europe (-60 kg). She said she then became aware of a “real grip” and notably evokes inappropriate remarks as well as inappropriate gestures, hands too close to the private parts, during recovery massages.

In addition to her complaint, the complainant also informed in May 2024 the federation “of elements which posed her problem in the coach-trainer relationship”, explained to AFP the national technical director of the Federation, Sébastien Mansois.

The Federation had then decided to make a report with the prefecture. From the elements sent, an administrative inquiry was opened, but the prefecture considered that there was “no conservatory emergency measure to be applied,” said the DTN, and conducted an administrative investigation. The Federation nevertheless decided not to renew the contract of Eric D. after August 2024, “so that the two protagonists were not in contact”.

Similarly, by mutual agreement between the Judo Federation, the Sports Agency and Teddy Riner, the presence of Eric D. around the five -time Olympic champion is put into stand by Pending the results of the administrative inquiry, launched 18 months ago. Riner’s project is currently led by Julien Corvo, his physical trainer.

The DTN of the Judo Federation for its part indicated to AFP not being aware of acts of sexual assault: “If the first elements collected required, on our part, the triggering of a report to the police service, it would have been done in the moment”.

It was “through the press” that he said he learned that a youth, sports and community life commission interviewed the coach on Wednesday as part of the administrative inquiry. This must give an opinion in the coming weeks to the Val-de-Marne prefecture concerning the administrative component of the case.