The International Football Federation (Fifa) has opened an investigation following allegations of alleged sexual assault of hundreds of children by several soccer coaches in Gabon. “ Given the seriousness of the allegations, we can confirm that Fifa’s independent ethics committee has opened an investigation “, Said a spokesperson for the federation, confirming information from the British daily The Guardian. Patrick Assoumou Eyi, former Gabonese football coach of the national under-17 team, is accused of alleged sexual assault of hundreds of children. He was arrested by the Gabonese authorities on December 20 and charged with “ rapes of minors “. Two other club coaches, Orphée Mickala and Triphel Mabicka, were also indicted for the same reasons. The three coaches face 30 years of criminal imprisonment.