Former gymnastics coach in Brazil banned by court

SAO PAULO (AP) — A former gymnastics coach with Brazil’s national team has been banned by a court after being accused of sexual abuse.

Fernando de Carvalho Lopes was first accused by a 12-year-old gymnast in 2016. Several others followed suit.

Lopes, who worked mostly with youth teams, was removed from his position with Brazil’s national team one month before the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Prosecutors recently said the cases involving the coach took place between 1999 and 2016.

Lopes can appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. He denies any wrongdoing.