(UTV|COLOMBO) – Dozens of Brazilian gymnasts have alleged that the former coach of Brazil’s national team, Fernando de Carvalho Lopes, sexually abused them, the BBC reported.
They told TV Globo’s Fantástico programme that they had experienced sexual abuse, ranging from touching to being told to shower in front of him.
He was removed from the national team just before the 2016 Olympics after the parents of a gymnast raised concerns.
Mr Lopes says that he has “a clear conscience”.
Interviewed by TV Globo, he said that he had never molested anyone.
But on Monday, the club near São Paulo at which he had been training youngsters for two decades sacked Mr Lopes.
The club, MESC of São Bernardo do Campo, said Mr Lopes had already been moved to an “administrative position” two years ago when the first allegations against him emerged.
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