Australian 4* eventing rider Callum Buczak has become the first person to be provisionally suspended while criminal proceedings are ongoing for alleged sexual abuse under the FEI’s new safeguarding procedures.
Buczak, 28, was charged in August with rape. Initially the national federation, Equestrian Australia, declined to suspend him while the case was ongoing in the Melbourne courts, because the alleged offence earlier this year did not take place at a competition.
The handling of the issue has been hugely controversial in Australia, with Central Alliance senator Rex Patrick joining calls for interim action to be taken. The FEI provisionally suspended Buczak on Monday, and EA has since disclosed it has also temporarily suspended his membership. During the period of the provisional suspension, Buczak may not take part in or attend any competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or a national federation. He had continued to compete as recently as last week.