FIFA has reportedly launched a full-scale investigation into allegations that Zambian coach Bruce Mwape rubbed a player’s breasts after a training session at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We can confirm that a complaint has been received in relation to the Zambian women’s national team and this is currently being investigated,” a Fifa spokesperson said, without specifying the nature of the complaint. Fifa takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear process in place for anyone in football who wants to report an incident.”
Zambia, who were ousted from the competition during the group phase have returned home. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour have plagued Zambia’s women’s football system for years.
The Football Association of Zambia launched an investigation after complaints of inappropriate behaviour appeared online last year. What the investigation revealed and whether any action was taken are unclear. Mwape was frequently questioned about the allegations during news conferences held during the World Cup. He referred to them as “fake” and rejected calls that he should quit.
“What are you talking about? I would like to know because there is no way I can retire without reason,” he said to reporters. Maybe your reason is because of what you are reading from the media or from the press, but the truth of the matter should actually come out, not just on rumours.”
New Zealand Police said they “were made aware of an alleged incident” during the World Cup but after initial enquiries decided “no further action was required to be taken”.
The Football Association of Zambia denied being aware of any recent complaints from players or its travelling delegation, despite police and Fifa’s participation.
The organization said in a statement that learning of the alleged coach’s wrongdoing had “come as a surprise to us,” and that it had sought “the highest standards of integrity and transparency” from the team.
The football association added that all training sessions had been recorded for media purposes by a Fifa crew and that no evidence of an incident had been discovered. It further stated that it would take disciplinary action “once we are presented with evidence or receive an official complaint.”
Fifa stressed on Friday that any allegations of abuse were handled in the strictest confidence.
“Where guilt is established, Fifa takes the strongest possible sanctions, including removing people from the game for life. Our track record demonstrates this,” it said.
Zambia suffered heavy defeats to Spain and Japan before winning their first-ever World Cup match, downing Costa Rica 3-1.
