Zambia head coach Bruce Mwape guided the team to a 1-2-0 record at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The team’s performance at the tournament is being overshadowed by allegations against Mwape. Photo by Anna Szilagyi/EPA-EFE
Aug. 4 (UPI) — The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is currently investigating the Zambia women’s football team following reports of inappropriate behavior by their coach, Bruce Mwape, during the 2023 World Cup, a spokesperson for the organization confirmed to UPI on Friday.
“FIFA treats any allegation of misconduct with utmost seriousness and has a well-defined procedure in place for individuals within football to report such incidents,” said the spokesperson.
“We can confirm that a complaint has been filed in relation to the Zambian women’s national team, and it is currently under investigation. Due to confidentiality reasons, we cannot disclose further details regarding an ongoing investigation.”
An article published by The Guardian on Thursday revealed that a player from the Zambian team accused their coach of inappropriate behavior, which allegedly took place two days before the team’s first match at the World Cup.
FIFA received a formal complaint about the incident following Zambia’s 3-1 victory over Costa Rica in the final match of the group stage, marking the team’s historic first-ever World Cup win.
According to sources cited by The Guardian, several players witnessed the coach allegedly touching one of their teammates inappropriately after a training session.
In response, the Football Association of Zambia expressed surprise at the complaint.
“We wish to state that the Football Association of Zambia has not received any such complaint from any players or officials in the delegation that traveled to the World Cup,” stated Reuben Kamanga, the association’s general secretary.
“We were therefore surprised to hear about the alleged misconduct by the coach as reported in the online publication.”
The Zambian team, ranked No. 77, ended their World Cup campaign with a record of 1-2-0, finishing in third place in Group C and failing to advance to the knockout stage.
“Individuals who wish to report allegations or provide information regarding abuse in football can do so through FIFA’s confidential reporting platform. All information submitted to FIFA is handled with the utmost confidentiality,” the FIFA spokesperson added.
“Furthermore, FIFA offers support and assistance to ensure the safety of those who report safeguarding issues, including witnesses who come forward to give testimony in FIFA Judicial cases.”
The spokesperson emphasized that once guilt is established, the organization will impose the strongest possible sanctions, including a lifetime ban from the sport.
“Our past actions demonstrate our commitment to this,” FIFA stated.
In Group C, Japan, ranked No. 11, emerged as the winners, while No. 6-ranked Spain finished in second place and secured a spot in the Round of 16.
Spain is scheduled to play their first knockout stage game against No. 20-ranked Switzerland at 1 a.m. EDT on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand.
