Gabon's predators on the pitch: Inside a paedophile football scandal

Football's governing bodies face accusations they failed to protect young victims of sexual abuse in Gabon. BBC Africa Eye spoke to more than 30 witnesses who told of a network that has plagued all levels of the game for three decades.

Warning: This article contains details some readers may find upsetting

The allegations of sexual abuse in the central African country of Gabon date as far back as the early 1990s.

One victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, described what happened to him as a teenager at an Under-17 football camp. He said he and his best friend were woken up in the middle of the night and taken to a room with red lights, full of naked men.

"They started touching me and my friend and I just didn't understand. I started to pray. I wanted to get out, but the door was locked. They grabbed me and threw me on to the floor. There were two security men. It was like they were prepared," he said.

"I saw how they started to rape my friend. I looked him in the eye, and he looked back at me as if to say: 'Let's just go along with them and get it over with.' I cried and screamed and screamed and screamed.

"They told me I would never be selected to play ever again and that if I dared speak to anyone about what happened, my family would be killed."

He never played for Gabon again.

Former Gabon international Parfait Ndong, pictured here at his academy, says he was ignored when he raised the alarm

BBC Africa Eye heard there were several attempts to alert authorities to what was happening over the years.

In 2019, former Gabon international Parfait Ndong returned home to set up his academy Jardin de football au Gabon. With 45 caps to his name and an illustrious playing career in Europe, he is a respected figure in Gabonese football.