Sexual misconduct ban lifted on Taekwondo coach Jean Lopez


An arbitration panel has ruled in favor of taekwondo coach Jean Lopez, meaning his name has been removed from the U.S. Center for SafeSport's sanctioned list and is free to resume coaching without restriction.

Lopez had been under investigation for 3 years for sexual misconduct involving 3 women. He was declared permanently ineligible in April, but the ban was lifted and replaced by a temporary sanction in August pending the arbitration hearing, held December 27th.

Victim lawyer Steve Estey insists two of his clients, Gilbert and taekwondo champion Gaby Joslin, stand by claims that Jean Lopez raped them. "We have a decision that is veiled in secrecy and was made behind closed doors," he said in a statement. "There appears to be no transcript of the hearing…And the decision mailed to our clients contains no information as to why the decision was made to lift the ban.”

The decision comes four weeks after Lopez’s brother, Olympic champion Steven Lopez, also had his sanction lifted after winning arbitration. At the time, SafeSport said there was a "preponderance of evidence" that he sexually abused a family friend and fellow taekwondo athlete.

The Lopez brothers have always denied the allegations, but victims claim, “This is yet another example of the failure by SafeSport to protect athletes from sexual abuse.”

You may also like

View All

Sport Resolutions launches refreshed strategy to support its sustainable growth and integrity in sport

Sport Resolutions is pleased to announce the launch of its refreshed company strategy, developed in response to continued growth within our organisation and the wider evolution of the sporting landscape

Read More

Prevention programmes believe ACL injuries in women’s football can be reduced by half

Prevention programmes believe training and technology could possibly resolve frequent torn anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) in women’s football by half or more

Read More

Sport Resolutions invites applications for the roles of Chair and Member(s) of the ITF Ethics Commission

Sport Resolutions is seeking independent individuals to serve as Chair and Member(s) of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Ethics Commission, playing a key role in upholding ethical standards and promoting good governance in international tennis

Read More

Newsletter Signup

Please enter your email address below: