FIFA-Banned DR Congo Coach Reportedly Still Training Young Players

What happened:

Watch the highlights:

The Guardian reports that Jonathan Bukabakwa, a coach in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was banned from football by FIFA for 20 years in March 2023 for sexual abuse of a minor, is continuing to take charge of young players. Bukabakwa, also known as Messi, had previously coached youth teams in the Limpopo and Malabo regions, according to the report.

The source says FIFA also fined him 100,000 Swiss francs after its investigation found him guilty of sexual abuse. It also states that authorities in the DRC had convicted him of similar offences and that he was released from prison last year.

Why it matters:

This is not a routine disciplinary update. It is a safeguarding enforcement test. A long FIFA ban is meant to remove a sanctioned coach from football activity, especially where minors are involved. If a banned coach can continue working with young players, the practical protection offered by the sanction becomes the central issue.

What changed:

The new information is not that Bukabakwa was banned; that happened in March 2023. The reported change is the Guardian's finding that he is still training young players despite that ban and after being released from prison last year. That turns the story from a past misconduct case into a live safeguarding concern.

Tournament impact:

At youth level, the impact is structural. Competitions, academies, local clubs, and regional football bodies rely on ban enforcement to keep disqualified individuals away from players and match environments. When enforcement breaks down, it creates risk beyond one team or one training group. It also puts pressure on FIFA and local football authorities to explain how banned individuals are tracked, reported, and prevented from re-entering football spaces.

What to watch:

The next questions are practical: who knew he was coaching, what body had responsibility for stopping it, whether local competitions or clubs were aware of the FIFA ban, and what action follows now that the situation has been reported. The story also points to a broader issue: international bans can be clear on paper while enforcement depends on local systems that may be inconsistent or under-resourced.

Confidence:

Confirmed by the source: Bukabakwa was banned by FIFA for 20 years in March 2023, fined 100,000 Swiss francs, had been convicted by DRC authorities of similar offences, was released from prison last year, and is reported by the Guardian to still be training young players. Still needing follow-up: responses from FIFA, local football authorities, clubs involved, and any immediate enforcement action.