Jonathan Bukabakwa, a football coach in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) known as 'Messi,' remains active in youth sports despite a 20-year ban imposed by Fifa in March 2023. The ban followed a Fifa investigation that found Bukabakwa guilty of the sexual abuse of a minor. In addition to the suspension, he was ordered to pay a fine of 100,000 Swiss francs.

Prior to the Fifa ruling, Bukabakwa faced legal action within the DRC. He was convicted by local authorities for similar sexual abuse offenses and served time in prison. However, he was released from custody last year. Recent evidence, including video footage obtained by The Guardian, indicates that Bukabakwa has resumed coaching duties, specifically working with youth teams in the Limpopo and Malabo regions.

The situation highlights a significant gap between international governing body sanctions and local enforcement. While Fifa has the authority to issue global bans, the practical application of these restrictions often relies on the cooperation of national football associations and local authorities. As of now, there has been no official statement regarding how Bukabakwa is able to continue his coaching activities despite the international prohibition.