Zambia’s association is surprised
World Cup coach is said to have grabbed a player’s breasts
8/4/2023 8:27 am
Even before the World Cup there are serious allegations against the Zambian national coach Bruce Mwape. Now the coach is said to have attacked a player again. FIFA receives a “complaint of misconduct” and launches an investigation.
FIFA is investigating an alleged incident involving the Zambian national team at the Women’s World Cup. “FIFA takes any allegation of misconduct very seriously and has a clear procedure for anyone in football who wants to report an incident .” Police in New Zealand have not received a complaint but have been made aware of an alleged incident.
No details were given, citing confidentiality. According to media reports, it is about an incident in which coach Bruce Mwape is said to have touched a player’s breasts. The Zambian football association FAZ was surprised by the allegations, as it had not received any complaints from the players or the travel delegation. The association demands “the highest standards of integrity and transparency” from the team and employees, it said in a statement. The association announced disciplinary measures “as soon as we receive an official complaint or evidence is presented to us”.
Even before the World Cup, there had been serious allegations against Mwape. The British “Guardians” had reported that the coach was being investigated on suspicion of sexual misconduct. The 63-year-old was accused of making the soccer players sexually docile. “If he wants to have sex with someone,” the newspaper quotes a national player who does not want to be named, “then you have to say yes”. It is “normal that the coach sleeps with the players of our team”. So the coach uses his authority and power.
However, the FAZ turns a blind eye “because the women’s results are so good”. Mwape took office in 2018: With him on the sidelines, the first qualification for the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo was achieved, and in summer 2022 the selection achieved its best result to date with third place at the African Cup of Nations. At the World Cup, the team was eliminated in third place after winning three games.