In recent years, world football has been shaken by a wave of sexual abuse allegations, blackmail, and extortion. Beyond the glory of the pitch, stars and coaches alike have found themselves at the center of disturbing controversies. In 2021, The Guardian called the “sextape blackmail” scandal involving Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena “a shocking moment for French football.” Neymar was accused of rape in 2019, which he described as an attempted extortion. In the UK, a 2016 investigation found 429 potential victims of sexual abuse linked to 148 football clubs. In France, youth coach Ahmed Gueninèche was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022 for raping and assaulting minors.
This article offers a panoramic view of major recent cases—naming public figures, outlining charges, timelines, and judicial outcomes—and dives into the systemic issues that enable these abuses: toxic masculinity, a culture of silence, and the overwhelming power of money and status in the game.
Superstars Under Fire
- Karim Benzema (Real Madrid, France)
At the heart of the infamous “sextape affair” (2015–2021), Benzema was accused of helping to blackmail teammate Mathieu Valbuena over an intimate video. In November 2021, he was found guilty of “complicity in attempted blackmail” and handed a one-year suspended prison sentence and a €75,000 fine. Valbuena testified that he feared for his career if the video went public. Benzema was excluded from the French national team until 2021 because of this scandal. - Neymar Jr. (Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil)
In 2019, Brazilian model Najila Trindade accused Neymar of raping her in a Paris hotel. Neymar denied all allegations, calling it a “setup” for financial gain. In August 2019, Brazilian prosecutors dropped the case due to lack of evidence. A month later, Trindade herself was charged with fraud, extortion, and defamation. Neymar published private conversations to support his version of events. - Paul Pogba (Juventus, France)
In 2022, Pogba reported being the victim of an extortion scheme involving his own brother, Mathias Pogba, and several others. They demanded money and allegedly threatened to kidnap and harm his wife and children. In 2024, Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison (one year to serve) for “organized extortion.” Five other accomplices received between 3 and 8 years. The case shocked the football world due to its family ties and severity. - Djibril Cissé (former Liverpool & France international)
Briefly detained in 2015 in a separate sextape-related case, Cissé was suspected of involvement in an attempted blackmail plot. However, no charges were filed, and he was released shortly afterward. Still, the incident illustrates how sex-related scandals are frequently weaponized in football circles. - Others
Several lesser-known players and coaches have also been accused or convicted of misconduct. In England, the Barry Bennell case (detailed below) implicated multiple Premier League youth academies. Former French internationals like Louis Saha and Yannick Bolasie have also spoken out about sexual harassment in the sport, prompting internal investigations within the FFF and FIFA.
Sexual Violence and Abuse by Coaches and Officials
Abuse often occurs away from the spotlight, at the grassroots and academy levels. In France, the case of Ahmed Gueninèche, an amateur coach in Yvelines, was dubbed one of the country’s worst child sexual abuse scandals in football. He was sentenced in 2022 to 18 years in prison for raping and abusing over a dozen young players between 2003 and 2018—most of them under 15 and from immigrant backgrounds. He lured them with promises of a professional career, preying on their dreams to gain control.
In the UK, former player Andy Woodward broke his silence in 2016 about being abused as a child, triggering a massive national investigation. By late 2016, authorities had identified 429 potential victims across 148 football clubs and over 150 suspected perpetrators. The most notorious among them was Barry Bennell, a former youth coach for Manchester City and Crewe Alexandra. In 2018, he was convicted of 36 counts of sexual abuse against boys aged 8 to 15 between 1979 and 1990 and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
In the U.S., women’s football has faced similar reckoning. A 2022 independent report by former Attorney General Sally Q. Yates found that emotional and sexual abuse was “systemic” in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). One coach allegedly masturbated in front of a player, another coerced several players into unwanted sexual relations. The report condemned the failure of U.S. Soccer to prevent these abuses, citing widespread complicity and cover-ups.
A Culture of Silence and Intimidation
Experts argue that football’s hyper-masculine culture fosters silence. The environment glorifies stoicism, with young players conditioned to “tough it out” and not report abuse. Coaches wield enormous influence over the careers of aspiring professionals, often described as “dream gatekeepers.” Many victims said they feared not being believed or losing their shot at success.
In French academies like Clairefontaine, former players revealed they had “never once received education or resources on sexual abuse prevention.” A senior figure at the FFF described the system as “toxic” and said that any attempt to raise the issue was quickly shut down.
Intimidation is also a key tactic in extortion schemes. In the Benzema case, Valbuena said he feared the release of his sextape would destroy his career. In the Pogba affair, physical threats—including kidnapping and sexual violence against family members—were used to force payment. Club officials often prioritize brand image and success over transparency, downplaying or covering up abuse to avoid scandals.
Football’s Slow Response
In 2021, NWSL players from NJ/NY Gotham FC and Washington Spirit paused their match to protest abuse in the league—an iconic moment. Pressure is now mounting for football institutions to act.
- In the UK, the FA commissioned the Sheldon Report in 2017, investigating historical abuse in youth football.
- In France, the FFF enhanced its whistleblower channels and sanctioned key figures.
- In the U.S., U.S. Soccer introduced reforms after the Yates report. In 2023, part of its government funding was suspended due to failure to implement protective standards.
Internationally, FIFA launched its “FIFA Guardians” program to help national federations prevent abuse, especially against minors. A new Ethics Code mandates the reporting of any misconduct involving children. Following pressure from Human Rights Watch and survivors, FIFA announced in 2024 the creation of a global independent “Safe Sport Unit.”
Commercial pressure is also building. In the U.S., Sherwin-Williams suspended its sponsorship of Racing Louisville FC due to abuse allegations, demanding structural reforms. Hashtags like #MeTooFootball and survivor podcasts are amplifying voices and challenging the sport’s silent status quo.
Conclusion
From PSG to grassroots clubs in London or Paris, recent scandals have shown that football is far from immune to abuse of power. The stories of Benzema, Neymar, Pogba, Gueninèche, Bennell, and countless others expose systemic failures and human tragedies. Too often, financial interests and institutional self-protection were prioritized over victim safety and justice.
But change may be coming. Player protests, sponsor pressure, media investigations, and legal reforms are gradually breaking the culture of silence. Structural reforms—from independent hotlines to global oversight—are emerging, albeit slowly.
If football truly wants to call itself modern and inclusive, it must guarantee safety at every level. Otherwise, these scandals will continue to ruin careers, break lives, and betray the millions who believe in the beautiful game.
- Tags:
- Football news
