Scandals at the historic Salesian football club: the city of Paris refers the case to the prosecutor’s office

After August 31 and the publication of scandals, still hushed up by the Salesian leadership, tongues were loosened in the club. Many members who knew nothing are demanding accountability from management. Some teams from this association, based in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, even demanded an explanation last Sunday, threatening to boycott matches.

The discussions raise the topic of sexual abuse of Christian K., the former head of the football section, who was hidden for a long time, which contributed to the delay of the procedure and participated in the establishment of numerous facts. But the subject of debate is primarily the most recent facts: the judicial investigations into Lawrence P. and Mitch D., who were expelled from the club in 2017 and 2020 respectively. Mitch D. is suspected of harassment and sexual abuse of a minor. , then continued to study in other clubs, as well as in Parisian schools.

But the main question for licensees in the first place is why management left Morad K. and Jonathan G. in charge of the football section when they were suspended for two years and one year by the Football League disciplinary committee on July 7 for “intimidation, cruelty and licensee harassment or complicity in these activities.”

Conversely, 21-year-old Camilla, a victim of two football managers who played and coached the club, instead of receiving support, was sacked by management in the spring of 2023, some time after she testified against his hierarchical superiors.

The mayor’s office threatens the association with sanctions

Faced with these revelations, the city authorities of Paris took action. Elected officials at the central town hall accepted the club’s leadership, which has always “completely denied all allegations against its two employees remaining in office.” Ubueske, because after an internal investigation in December 2022, the same management nevertheless suspended Morad K. and Jonathan G. for three days for these acts of harassment and physical aggression towards Camille.

“Given the extreme seriousness of the alleged facts, we hope that the justice will consider this matter under Article 40 (under which any authority having knowledge of a crime or wrongdoing has a duty to report it to justice)“We reported this to the prosecutor,” said Karim Ziadi (PS), the Paris councilor responsible for local sports. We are also launching an internal procedure assigned to the city’s General Inspectorate. “This investigation will focus in particular on the finances as well as the management of the Salesian.

“We have received requests from many parents and area residents who want clarification,” continues the elected official from the central town hall. And we reserve the ability to impose sanctions at the conclusion of these investigations. » This could range from the refund of subsidies already paid (15,000 euros this year) to the abolition of all subsidies or even the termination of the allocation of places for the football section in municipal sports facilities, which would lead to the closure of this discipline within the Salesians.

Elected officials were warned in vain

“Moreover, we are stunned that we were not informed of these facts before the press reports appeared last week,” regrets Karim Ziadi. However, the district mayor’s office was informed about this back in February. »

Seeing the difficulty of being heard at the club, Camille did warn the sector’s elected officials. In vain. The Salesian leadership maintained its position against Camilla or Morad K. and Jonathan G. “But the 17th-century mayor is undoubtedly somewhat embarrassed to act in the face of an association that has 4,000 members and therefore potentially almost 10,000 voters,” slips the political source.

Except that for several days now Geoffroy Boulard (LR), the mayor of the district, whose local opponent is Karim Ziadi, has also been very upset with the management of the club: “We did not have all the elements at hand. Given the new elements that we are now aware of, we have asked the Salesian President to take responsibility and restore the trust of the families as quickly as possible. We consider it necessary to suspend the individuals involved as a precautionary measure, at least until the completion of the procedures. »

“False accusations,” management claims

In contact, the Salesian leadership seems unwilling to grant this request. “We welcome with the greatest satisfaction the mayor’s decision to take legal action,” said Aymeric de Tilly, president of the Salesian Society. A judicial investigation will restore the truth in the face of mergers and false accusations. We are already on the ground with our licensees every day to answer any legitimate questions and concerns they may have. We thank those who have supported us and who know that our top priority is the safety and well-being of our members. »

However, an uprising begins to emerge. “But we can’t express too many different opinions because anyone who disagrees with management gets ridiculed or pushed aside,” says the manager. “I’m thinking about creating a team,” says a mother whose children are registered in the club. It would be a shame if my son got hurt. But we cannot continue to be afraid to speak out. »