The ex-coach from a Munich sports club has confessed to sexually abusing young footballers over an extended period. Here's a brief overview of the ongoing court case.

The former head coach and sporting director of a sports club in the greater Munich area is on trial for allegedly sexually abusing approximately 30 boys aged between 13 and 19. The incidents are said to have occurred over several years, starting in 2016. The 47-year-old faces numerous charges, including multiple counts of rape. The accused reportedly followed a consistent pattern, initially claiming to be a trained physiotherapist, then offering treatments to enhance blood flow to the victims' muscles, before ultimately subjecting them to abuse.

The individual faces charges for over 800 instances of sexual abuse, including more than 200 counts of rape. The accusations surfaced in early 2022 when one of the purported victims disclosed the information to their parents. The man was apprehended in October 2022 and has remained in custody since then.

The ex-coach admitted to the crimes. On the trial's opening day, the judge mentioned that if the accused confesses, a shorter sentence of seven to eight years might be considered, sparing the victims from testifying. However, the judge clarified that release after serving the sentence isn't guaranteed; there could be further measures like "preventive detention" or placement in a psychiatric clinic.

German sport grapples with a significant issue of sexualized violence, as a 2022 study exposed. Over 70 victims recounted their traumatic experiences. In the same year, former European diving champion Jan Hempel publicly disclosed alleged abuse, accusing his coach, who had passed away in 2001, of repeated sexual assaults spanning 14 years.

Multiple former coaches in Germany are facing trials for sexual abuse allegations. In 2022, a former gymnastics coach in Thuringia was convicted of 20 counts of sexual abuse and received a sentence of three years and two months in prison.

The Munich trial's magnitude, with a significant number of victims, draws parallels to international cases like those involving Larry Nassar, former doctor for the US gymnastics team, Barry Bennell, a youth coach at Manchester City in English football, and the allegations against Yves Jean-Bart, former president of the Haitian Football Association.

Over a year ago, the club central to the ongoing trial mandated Enhanced Certificates of Conduct from all its coaches, issued by Germany's Federal Office of Justice for screening individuals working with children. In 2021, a "protection and emergency concept" was adopted to address suspected abuse cases. Despite these measures, the club's managing director acknowledged that "you can never be 100% sure" after the allegations against the former coach surfaced.

In late 2022, the "Safe Sport" association was established as an independent support for victims seeking help regarding sexualized, psychological, and physical violence in sports.