The promise of a football career brought young players to Éric Olhats’ door. Years later, accounts gathered in a new investigation describe fear, missing memories and alleged abuse behind that pursuit of the professional game.
A book examines abuse in football
Dans la gueule du loup, published on 30 September, investigates child sexual abuse and sexual offenders within football. Its authors, Thomas Rabino and Fabien Touati, devote significant attention to Olhats, the former scout and adviser known for identifying and accommodating Antoine Griezmann during the player’s time in Real Sociedad’s academy.
In November 2025, Olhats was sentenced to six years in prison for sexual assaults against underage players committed between 1997 and 2022.
The book includes testimonies from people presented as victims of the former recruiter, including a witness referred to as Olivier to protect his identity.
- Olivier was underage when the alleged events occurred and hoped to become a professional footballer.
- He said parts of his memory remain unclear, but maintained that he had been drugged several times while staying at Olhats’ home.
- He recalled being forbidden from entering the kitchen and said he once saw Olhats stirring a Coca-Cola beside a container holding white powder.
- Olivier said he was told the substance would help recovery.
Olivier describes alleged chemical submission
Olivier said that, on one night, he felt unable to move and became aware of Olhats performing a sexual act on him. Initially uncertain about what had happened, he later sent Olhats a message because he feared having contracted a sexually transmitted infection.
He said Olhats did not deny the incident, replying instead that he was the person taking the risk.
The testimony also describes massages presented as sports treatment but which allegedly moved high up the thighs. Olivier further alleged that Olhats watched him while he was bathing.
Another former minor recalls a blackout
A second man, Jordan, described a similar experience dating back to 2006, when he too was a minor. He said he drank a beverage and received a massage from Olhats before suffering what he described as a blackout.
- Jordan later experienced severe anal pain and sought medical help.
- As memories and physical sensations returned, he said he became convinced that he had been raped.
- He feared that his account would not be believed.
- His complaint was ultimately dismissed without further action.
Following Jordan’s complaint, Olhats was taken into police custody and denied any chemical submission. During a search, investigators found 443 Temesta tablets in his safe. Temesta is a medication with sedative effects.
