Alizé Cornet: “Courage to Fiona” Ferro

After qualifying for the third round of the US OpenAlizé Cornet was questioned about the complaint filed in February by Fiona Ferro against her ex-coach, Pierre Bouteyre, whom she accuses of repeated rape and sexual assault suffered between 2012 and 2015. Bouteyre also coached the 32-year-old Niçoise for a long time. , between 2002 and 2012, then between 2018 and 2019.

“It’s far too serious and serious a subject for me to talk about during the tournament, Cornet explained. It obviously affects me a lot and maybe that’s one of the reasons why I don’t sleep very well at night. Obviously I’m sending huge support to Fiona, which I did via text because she’s my buddy. It’s terrible, for both of them and especially for Fiona. He was my coach for ten years so it’s not cool to learn that kind of stuff. But I was already aware so I did not fall too high either. I’ve known for a few months (that there is a procedure in progress). »

The Frenchwoman has also confirmed that she will be heard in this case as a witness: “I do what I have to do. As part of the investigation, they ask me and it’s not like I can negotiate with the police. Courage to Fiona. We are with her, we love her and all the girls in the locker room think of her very much. I hope she can move on with her life when this is over. »

At the material time, Fiona Ferro was between 15 and 18 years old. Pierre Bouteyre, who trained her in Saint-Raphaël, was indicted on August 18. According to Nice-Matin, Bouteyre “acknowledges the materiality of the facts but disputes the accusation of rape” formulated by the 25-year-old player, evoking on the contrary consented relationships according to her lawyer, Me Virginie Pin. Bouteyre, 50, was placed under judicial control with obligation of care, prohibition to train minors, as well as to come into contact with Ferro.