FIFA bans former Guyana football official Alves for five years over harassment

FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee has banned former Guyana Football Federation (GFF) General Secretary Ian ​Alves from all football-related activities for ‌five years after finding he sexually harassed female staff members.

FIFA also fined Alves 20,000 Swiss francs ($22,000) after ​determining that he had breached provisions ​of the FIFA Code of Ethics relating ⁠to the protection of physical and ​mental integrity, abuse of position and general duties.

Click here to read the judgment 

“FIFA ​has a strict stance against all forms of abuse in football,” the organisation said on Monday.

The decision ​followed a review of written statements from ​the victims, documents provided by the GFF, submissions from ‌Alves, ⁠and other evidence gathered during the investigation.

Alves stepped down from his position in 2024.

The ban came into force on Monday, when ​the terms of ​the ⁠decision were notified to Alves, and the full grounds for the ​ruling will be communicated within 60 ​days ⁠in accordance with the Code of Ethics, FIFA added.

The GFF did not immediately respond to ⁠a ​Reuters request for comment. Alves ​could not immediately be reached for comment. (Reuters)