Bullying, nepotism, alcohol: accusations against the Swiss Fencing Federation are mounting

At war for twenty years

The fencing club, Nigon and other claimants then took legal action against Hablützel, and the proceedings have not yet been completed. Nigon’s lawyer told SonntagsBlick that she was acting illegally and criminally with her statements. Hablützel has not accepted the decisions already taken in this case and is therefore responsible for the further course of the proceedings.

Hablützel says: “They want to silence me and ruin me financially. This is how the fencing federation has dealt with critics since Gabriel Nigon and Olivier Carrard took over.” She has been at war with them for twenty years. Also then, Nigon took legal action against the fencer on behalf of Swiss Fencing. In 2004, the association specially issued a ” Lex Hablützel” was created to prevent them from participating in international competitions.

Last week, the Basel Criminal Court sentenced Hablützel to libel. She’s appealing. The allegation of vote buying is by no means the only one the former top fencer has directed against Swiss Fencing. “Under the leadership of Gabriel Nigon and Olivier Carrard, favoritism and bullying have spread in the association,” says Hablützel. “Posts are given to those close to us, athletes are treated unequally, critics are silenced in every possible way. There is a culture of opacity and distrust.”

Excessive alcohol consumption in the coaching staff

Is it just a vengeful screen icon speaking? What is the truth of her accusations? SonntagsBlick asked active and former members of Swiss Fencing – fencers, coaches, board members. They believe the allegations are true, but want to remain anonymous because they fear the association’s reaction.

Three names keep popping up in conversations with insiders: Nigon, Carrard and Lamon. The family of former top screen star Sophie Lamon (38) has been firmly anchored in the association for decades. The father was vice president, the mother was in charge of the umpires. After her active career, Lamon herself was managing director of the association for several years.

Sophie Lamon’s husband has been given the position of youth national coach. A diploma is required for this. Many sports associations require their coaches to have a diploma from the Swiss Olympic umbrella organization – the required course for this takes more than a year. Apparently, the Swiss Fencing Federation was pleased that Lamon’s husband had taken a week-long diploma course in Poland.

The new youth trainer apparently repeatedly caused a stir. Various sources report alcoholic escapades. The morning after a night of drinking, he allegedly missed the flight to a tournament in Russia. The young athlete he was to mentor left without a coach. But he’s not the only one who sometimes goes overboard. “Excessive alcohol consumption in the coaching staff is a serious problem, especially during tournaments,” one of the insiders told Sunday’s View.

The reaction of the fencing club: “Swiss Fencing takes signs of excessive alcohol consumption very seriously.” No reasoned termination has been received in the past two years.

Selection criteria in favor of preferred candidates

Several sources mention another problem athletes face in relation to SonntagsBlick: those who are not friends with the right family have little chance of sporting success. The selection criteria for the major tournaments would be changed in favor of preferred candidates. This also applies to the allocation of funding: performance contracts, sports RS – in the end, it is not performance that is decisive, but proximity to the association’s directors.

Swiss Fencing emphasizes: “The criteria for the 2022/23 season have been simplified and communicated before the start of the season. The selection committee adhered to the set criteria in the selections for title fights. »

There is also regular bullying of the athletes. An insider tells of a member of the national team who repeatedly had to listen to the coach’s comments about his weight – in front of the assembled group. The training assignments for this fencer are often planned in such a way that he cannot perceive them. It’s only a matter of time before he gives up – just like another bullied team member has already done.

Swiss Fencing: “The association is aware that there can be differences of opinion in support situations, which the athletes sometimes experience as unjustified. Reports in this context have also reached the management.” Swiss Fencing has no tolerance for bullying.

Lamons is now managing director

Sophie Lamon’s husband has now given up his coaching job. Swiss Fcing appointed him general manager, he now heads the competitive sports division. The second general manager, responsible for administration, is also vice president, head of communications and marketing at Swiss Fencing. He is also vice president of the Lugano fencing club. In other words, he simultaneously holds several strategic and operational management positions.

In addition: The director of a marketing agency, in which the vice president of the fencing club is a partner, arranges the sponsorship. The head of sponsorship of the association is – the vice president.

Swiss Fencing emphasizes that ethical principles and the rules of good governance are regularly monitored and adhered to. The union denies accusations of nepotism.

The administration under President Lars Frauchiger has another problem: in 2022, Swiss Fencing generated a deficit of 250,000 francs. One of the reasons would be the high wages for coaches and managers. The association says: “The loss was mainly due to the athletes’ generous support in competitions and training.” One thing is clear: the athletes feel the consequences of the shortage. They now have to pay administration costs when they go to competitions abroad. Several youth tournaments have been cancelled.

Several athletes are critical

Nepotism, mobbing, alcohol, mismanagement, the list of accusations against Swiss Fencing is long. Last but not least, the association finances itself with funds from Swiss Olympic, more than one million Swiss francs per year. The umbrella organization has now become aware of the situation among the fencers, he confirms to SonntagsBlick: «Swiss Olympic is aware of individual allegations that affect the association, but in particular also the members of the association, and in these cases – in line with her role – it also clarified and contributed in a supportive way.”

For example, Swiss Olympic conducted a survey in 2021 among the young athletes sponsored by the umbrella organization and found “that several Swiss fencing athletes were critical of internal processes in the association or club”.

The umbrella organization emphasizes that Swiss Olympic’s intervention options are limited. “What is certain is that Swiss Olympic is deeply concerned that not only individual misconduct, but also structural grievances of any kind are transparently addressed, investigated and rectified.”

The next board elections at Swiss Fencing will take place in 2024. Gianna Hablützel: “I hope that the association will find its way back to democratic and transparent structures as soon as possible.”