The coach of Zambia’s Women’s World Cup team has been accused of pressuring his players to have s3x with him in order to keep their spot on the team.
According to a story in The Guardian newspaper, Bruce Mwape, 63, the head coach of the Zambia team preparing to make its debut at the Women’s International Cup, was accused of sexual misconduct by one of his players, and the issue was brought to international organization FIFA last year for investigation.
According to the article, more Zambian coaches and administrators, including the Under 17s girls’ team coach, were accused of sexual misbehaviour with their players and investigated.
One female player, who did not want to be named, told The Guardian: “If he [Mwape] wants to sleep with someone, you have to say yes.
“It’s normal that the coach sleeps with the players in our team.”
Zambia’s football association president, Andrew Kamanga, said on Sunday that charges of sexual misbehaviour were brought to FIFA and Zambian police last year, calling it a “long story.”
Kamanga did not identify any of the people accused of wrongdoing.
In accordance with the convention, FIFA’s independent ethics committee stated that it would not comment on whether or not an inquiry was underway.
Zambia’s Football Association initiated its own investigation last year but did not name any officials, coaches, or players implicated. When the Zambian association announced its decision in September, it stated that it was taking the claims seriously.
However, The Guardian quoted a source that is unidentified as suggesting that the Zambian association was ‘turning a blind eye’ to the charges because of the recent success of its women’s squad under Mwape.
Zambia has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as well as the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which begins this month.
