Fiona Fero has dismissed claims by her former coach that the two were involved in a ‘love story’ after he was charged with sexually assaulting her by French prosecutors.
On Wednesday judicial sources confirmed to AFP news agency that 50-year-old Pierre Bouteyre has been charged with rape and sexually assaulting Fiero. According to the lawyer representing the tennis star, Isabelle Colombani, the assaults took place over three years between 2012 and 2015. At that time Fero would have been aged between 15 and 18.
Bouteyre, who has also previously worked with Alize Cornet, has been charged with two separate law violations. The first is “rape of a minor by a person having authority over the victim” and the other is “sexual assault of a minor over the age of 15 by a person having authority over the victim.” This was confirmed by prosecutor Patrice Camberou.
Defending Bouteyre in court, Virginie Pin claims the two had a consensual relationship even though Fero was underage. She says he “recognises the relationship occurred but denies any coercion.” Bouteyre played in the main draw of the 1993 French Open and 1996 Wimbledon Championships.
In her first public statement since AFP broke the news of the case, Fero took to social media on Friday to state that she denies being in a relationship with her former coach.
“I take note of Pierre Bouteyre’s position on my accusation of acts of rape and sexual assault by a person in authority. I confirm that I was not consenting and that the rapes and sexual assaults were committed by moral constraint according to article 222-24 of the Penal Code*,” she wrote.
“I place all my trust in the justice system of my country and confirm that I do not want to make any other declaration on the criminal investigation procedure.”
*NOTE: 222-24 covers sexual offences against children in French law
Pam Shriver, who won 21 Grand Slam doubles titles during her career, has praised the French player for speaking about her ordeal. Earlier this year Shriver revealed that she had an ‘inappropriate and damaging relationship’ with her former coach Don Candy during the early part of her career.
“Sending my best support to Fiona Ferro,” Shriver wrote on social media. “The best way to improve safeguarding, is to tell our stories.”
“May many more players feel the strength and support to report other situations of abuse of any kind.” She later added.
Fero has been ranked as high as 39th in the world and played in 16 Grand Slam main draws. She has won two WTA titles with the most recent of those occurring at the 2020 Palermo Open. At this year’s US Open she lost in the first round of qualifying to Katie Boulter.
