Coach Eric Despezelle, recruited at the end of 2024 by Teddy Riner, is targeted by a complaint for sexual assault towards 24 -year -old judokate, according to the world, And was summoned on Wednesday September 10 before a committee of youth, sports and community life. His lawyer said that the defendant challenged “firmly” These accusations.
The young judokate, French number 3 in her weight category and who wishes to remain anonymous, was housed by the 50 -year -old coach at her home near the INSEP and filed a complaint for “Sexual assault and image conservation obtained by privacy damage”according to daily life.
A preliminary survey entrusted to a Val-de-Marne police station is underway. If he “Confirms that she hosted Ms. LM, when she wanted, in practice two to three evenings a week between the end of 2021 and early 2024”Eric Despezelle “Contests, however, the accusations brought against him, which are perfectly unfounded”said his lawyer, Paul Guis, in a press release.
The complainant explained to Monde Having discovered a miniature camera hidden in a sock on a shelf in the bathroom that she was alone to use at the home of the former European vice-champion (-60 kg). She says she became aware of a “True grip” And notably evokes inappropriate remarks, as well as displaced gestures during recovery massages.
In addition to her complaint, the complainant also informed the federation in May 2024 “Elements that were a problem for him in the coach-training relationship”explained the National Technical Director (DTN) of the Federation, Sébastien Mansois.
The Federation had then decided to make a report with the prefecture. From the elements transmitted, the latter estimated that there was “No conservatory emergency measure to apply”said DTN. The Federation has still decided not to renew Eric Despezelle’s contract after August 2024, “So that the two protagonists are not in contact”.
The DTN also specified that they were not 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 is “By the press” That he says he learned that a youth, sports and community life commission heard the coach on Wednesday. This must give an opinion in the coming weeks to the Val-de-Marne prefecture concerning the administrative component of the case.
