The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has launched an investigation into an allegation of misconduct involving the Zambian women’s national team during the ongoing Australia and New Zealand 2023 World Cup.
Head Coach of Zambia Women’s team, Bruce Mwape is accused of inappropriate behaviour, allegedly rubbing his hands over the chest of one of his players, as reported by The Guardian UK on Thursday.
The allegation surfaced just two days before the team’s final group game against Costa Rica. In response, a FIFA spokesperson emphasized the organization’s commitment to taking any misconduct allegations seriously and assured the public that a clear process is in place for reporting such incidents.
Due to the ongoing investigation, specific details cannot be disclosed at this time, but FIFA confirmed that they have received the complaint and are actively looking into the matter. The football body urged anyone with information related to abuse in football to use FIFA’s confidential reporting platform, where all submissions are treated with the utmost confidentiality.
This year marks the Zambian women’s national team’s debut appearance in the FIFA World Cup tournament. FIFA’s investigation seeks to ensure a fair and respectful environment for all participants and uphold the integrity of the sport.