A 30-year-old equestrian rider received a three-year suspension and a CHF 6,000 fine for fabricating documents to falsely claim Olympic qualification. The FEI Tribunal ruled that Michelle Dejonghe engaged in “extremely serious offenses that undermine the core values of fairness, integrity, and transparency in sport.”
FEI Uncovers Fraudulent Documents
Dejonghe first registered with the FEI in 2019 under the Belgian equestrian federation but never competed in international events. In early 2024, she requested to change her sporting nationality from Belgium to Malta, approved by the FEI in March. However, in May of the same year, Belgian authorities contacted the FEI to verify whether Dejonghe was an Olympic-eligible athlete.
A falsified document titled FEI Confirmation for Equestrian Event at the Olympic Games falsely certified her Paris 2024 qualification, prompting the inquiry. The fake letter used the FEI’s logo, letterhead, and a copied signature without authorization.. The FEI confirmed it never issued such a document, as it doesn’t provide Olympic qualification confirmations in that manner.
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FEI Investigation and Findings
The Maltese equestrian federation later informed the FEI that all official state documents Dejonghe had submitted, including her passport and residency certificate, were forged. Subsequent verification by Maltese authorities confirmed that her alleged passport and driver’s license were entirely fake. Additionally, the Maltese transport office verified that her supposed identification number did not correspond to any valid Maltese driving license.
Malta’s equestrian federation has determined Dejonghe’s submitted residency certificate was fraudulent, though confirmation about its falsification is pending.
Disciplinary Proceedings and Defense Claims
The FEI revoked her nationality change and began disciplinary action, but Dejonghe never responded. She acknowledged receipt of the Tribunal’s communication but claimed her lawyer was handling the situation.
She further alleged that an unknown individual had used her identity to commit fraud, including selling nonexistent horses. However, the FEI Tribunal found no evidence to support her claim, as she did not provide any documentation to substantiate her allegations.
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Tribunal’s Verdict and Future Precautions
The FEI Tribunal found the motive behind the Olympic document forgery unclear but noted Dejonghe’s actions impacted at least one third party. As a result, Belgian police launched an investigation, with the FEI registered as an aggrieved party to monitor the case’s outcome.
The Tribunal emphasized that Dejonghe deliberately tried to deceive the FEI and Malta’s equestrian federation. This was a severe violation of FEI regulations and Olympic values.
Beyond the suspension and fine, Dejonghe has been ordered to pay CHF 1,500 (£1,320) in legal costs.The Tribunal urged national federations to scrutinize documents for nationality changes more carefully. Dejonghe’s forgeries showed clear signs of tampering, like font and text inconsistencies.
The panel concluded by reinforcing the importance of rigorous document verification processes to maintain the integrity of equestrian sports and prevent similar fraudulent attempts in the future.
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