FIFA is investigating allegations of misconduct against Zambia’s coach, Bruce Mwape, after being accused of rubbing his hands over the chest of one of his players News About Nigeria reports.
The incident is said to have occurred two days before Zambia’s historic victory over Costa Rica in their final group stage game at the Women’s World Cup.
According to The Guardian UK, an official complaint was lodged with FIFA following Zambia’s first-ever World Cup win in New Zealand.
The coach had previously been under investigation for sexual misconduct, as reported by The Guardian before the tournament.
A source close to the squad revealed that several players witnessed Mwape allegedly rubbing his hands over the chest of a teammate after a training session last Friday.
The source expressed concern about such actions, stating, “It’s not appropriate for a coach to be touching a player’s breasts.”
The witnesses initially considered reporting the incident immediately but decided to wait until after the tournament, fearing potential repercussions that could unsettle the team.
Zambia had already been eliminated from the competition after facing heavy defeats against Spain and Japan. However, they managed to secure a third-place finish in their group with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica.
The complaint against Mwape was reportedly brought to the attention of a FIFA delegate, who has been accompanying the team during their stay in New Zealand.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president, Andrew Kamanga, is also said to be aware of the incident.
When approached for comment, both the FAZ and Mwape did not respond to inquiries. A spokesperson from FIFA confirmed the seriousness with which they take such allegations and stated that an investigation is underway.
