Sexual violence: true or false, Gailhaguet's statements dissected

For a few days and notably the revelations of Sarah Abitbol in the Obs and a book (“Un si long silence”), skating has been at the heart of the scandal. The former skater, who accuses her coach of the time Gilles Beyer of rapes between 1990 and 1992 (when she was between 15 and 17 years old), also points to the silences of the French Federation of Ice Sports and its president, Didier Gailhaguet.

The strong man of the French skate (in office since 1998, with a parenthesis from 2004 to 2007), to whom the Minister of Sports Roxana Maracineanu asked to resign after an hour of interview on Monday, took the speech to defend ourselves this Wednesday at the headquarters of the FFSG (Paris XII).

He spoke for more than an hour, straight in his boots, without flexing. He acknowledged "mistakes but not mistakes". Above all, he reaffirmed that he would not resign: "To be resigned, I would have to have committed a fault or I believe that I have not committed it". Didier Gailhaguet delivered his truth. But has he always told the truth?

Didier Gailhaguet is the one who requested the opening of an administrative investigation into the actions of Gilles Beyer in the early 2000s.

FALSE

The president of the FFSG repeated it: “There was a first administrative investigation of the general inspection on Mr. Beyer, made by the ministry for Sports. It was I who asked Ms. Buffet and a member of her cabinet. ". "It is impossible," replied Marie-George Buffet, who was in post between 1997 and 2002. An investigation can only be opened by the general inspection of the ministry, under the direct responsibility of the minister. Fortunately, not everyone can request the opening of an investigation on their own initiative: where would we go? "

After being ousted from his post at the FFSG (and at the Ministry of Sports) after an administrative investigation, Gilles Beyer was posted to the Watteau college in Nogent-sur-Marne.

TRUE BUT

"The Minister of Sports at the time ( Marie-Georges Buffet ) sent Mr. Beyer back to National Education (his original ministry)," says Gailhaguet. An installation report dated September 6, 2002 attests that Beyer was an EPS teacher in this college, "where there are the most miners per square meter," protests Gailhaguet. According to our information, however, the former coach was never in front of the students and he never taught in the Créteil academy (which was also conceded by Gailhaguet). He was reportedly placed on statutory leave.

Didier Gailhaguet says he has implemented several actions to combat sexual violence./AFP/Franck Fife

After his rapid transition to National Education, Gilles Beyer then found work in the club of the Flying French and then took up duties within the FFSG. The president of the federation could not prevent it.

FALSE

“Mr. Beyer was elected to the steering committee of the Ile-de-France league and then to the FFSG. Who am I to prevent respect for voting and democracy, ”says the boss of the FFSG. Legally, Beyer has never been convicted, his criminal record is still empty to this day. A police investigation in the early 2000s did not lead to any prosecution. Nothing therefore, except a personal prevention (or reluctance) of the president with regard to Beyer's past, could prevent him from exercising administrative functions. "Mr. Beyer was however appointed head of delegation at the World Juniors in 2011," says Gailhaguet. Out of naivety or out of confidence, I recognize an error. "

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VIDEO. Sexual violence: Gailhaguet denies having “committed a fault”

After the administrative investigation, Gilles Beyer again benefited from a professional card for sports educators.

There is no trace of it today

"Mr. Beyer received a professional card to be able to be paid," says Guy Paris, the lawyer of the FFSG. A card that only the ministry can issue (valid for 5 years and renewable). In the file provided, before the press conference by the president of the FFSG, one can find a letter, dated February 13, 2001 (ie after the close of the administrative investigation).

He certifies that the services of the Ministry of Sports sign an "addendum to the Olympic preparation contract relating to the recruitment of Mr. Gilles Beyer, from April 1, 2001 in his capacity as national coach of ice sports assigned to the administration Central. The provisions terminating Mr. Beyer's Olympic preparation contract are canceled. "

This letter is proof that Gilles Beyer found his post at the FFSG. But not that he has a professional card, issued by a regional youth and sports directorate. The club of French Volants (which employed Beyer until last week and its layoff) does not confirm that its employee has sesame. The ministry, it ensures to have no trace of existence of a professional card for Gilles Beyer.

The question then arises: Did Gilles Beyer have the right to supervise internships, as he did for his club at least in 2016, 2018 and 2019?

The FFSG works with the association “Colossus with feet of clay”, which fights against pedophilia, in particular in sport?

FALSE

In his long monologue, Didier Gailhaguet says he has implemented several actions to fight against sexual violence. He claims in particular that the FFSG works with "Colossus with feet of clay". On its Facebook page, the association that fights against pedophilia and chaired by Sébastien Boueilh, immediately denied.

“D. Gailhaguet, president of the FFSG, announces prevention actions with us within his federation. Mr President, thank you for not using us as a defense shield. Nathalie Péchalat (former skater, European dance champion) has been trying for 3 years to involve us without success. Your answer (to our requests): We have no problems in our federation . "

🚨DEMENTI V. Gailhaguet president of the FFSG on BFMTV announces prevention actions with us within his ...

No investigation has been opened against a coach of the Clamart swimming club, that of Roxana Maracineanu, accused of rape?

FALSE

Even before the arrival of Roxana Maracineanu, the former swimmer, at the ministry, two investigations were opened. For facts dating from 2015, the justice seized the case after a complaint filed by parents. The coach was immediately dismissed and, in August 2018, an administrative investigation was opened after the judicial investigation.