Sports
Zambia Women’s World Cup Coach Accused Of Sexual Misconduct
Zambia Women’s World Cup Coach Accused Of Sexual Misconduct
Zambia’s football association on Friday expressed “surprise” at claims its women’s coach abused a squad member at the current World Cup, after FIFA launched an investigation into what it called an “allegation of misconduct”.
According to a report in the Guardian newspaper, Zambian coach Bruce Mwape is accused of rubbing a player’s breasts after a training session.
“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 were eliminated at the group stage of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand and are now back home.
Zambia’s women’s football set up has been plagued by allegations of improper conduct.
When reports of misbehaviour surfaced online last year, the Football Association of Zambia opened an investigation.
It is not clear what the probe found, or whether any action was taken.
At press conferences during the World Cup, Mwape was repeatedly asked about the allegations, which he called “fake” while dismissing suggestions he should resign.
“What are you talking about? I would like to know because there is no way I can retire without reason” he told reporters.
“Maybe your reason is because 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.”
Bruce-Mwape-Zambia
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”.
Despite police and FIFA involvement, the Football Association of Zambia denied knowledge of any recent complaint from players or its travelling delegation.
The organisation said in a statement that it had “come as a surprise for us to hear of such alleged misconduct by the coach”, adding that it had demanded “the highest standards of integrity and transparency” from players and staff.
The football association also said all training sessions had been filmed by its media team and a FIFA crew, and it had seen no evidence of any incident.
It added that it would take disciplinary action “once we are in receipt of an official complaint or presented with evidence”.
Sanctions
There have been a series of sexual assault scandals in women’s football in recent times, notably in Gabon, Haiti, the United States and Afghanistan.
FIFA this year toughened its disciplinary proceedings for sexual assault or harassment in a revised Code of Ethics.
It removed the 10-year limitation period on prosecuting sexual offences and obliges “member associations and confederations to notify FIFA of any decisions rendered on sexual abuse”.
FIFA stressed 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.
AFP
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has made it clear he will not apologise to Cristiano Ronaldo amid their ongoing rift.
Speaking after Portugal’s Nations League victory over Norway, Jesus was asked whether he owed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner an apology following the events that led to Ronaldo’s abrupt departure from the national team camp.
Jesus remained adamant that he did not owe anyone an apology, despite calls from the likes of Rio Ferdinand and others in the Ronaldo camp, to do so.
“I take responsibility for the decision and for what happened,” Jesus said.
“But apologise for what? To whom? That is a lie. Apologise for what? What was there to apologise for?”
The 72-year-old was even more direct in another exchange, declaring: “I don’t apologise to anyone.”
The dispute erupted after Ronaldo was left as an unused substitute against Norway despite being sent out to warm up for a significant period.
The Al-Nassr striker later left the camp and has not featured since.
Jesus insisted his decisions as coach are non-negotiable and that the priority was the team’s results.
He did, however, leave the door open for Ronaldo’s return, stating the veteran would be called up for the next international window if he is playing regularly for Al-Nassr and wishes to come back.
“It’s his decision,” Jesus added.
“You can’t break up a year-long friendship over a situation that is difficult to understand.”
The firm stance from the Portugal coach suggests any reconciliation will depend more on Ronaldo’s willingness to move past the episode than any public apology.
Portugal return to Nations League action in November with games against Denmark and Wales.
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has said Wayne Rooney was better than Harry Kane.
Discussing the comparison between the two, Agbonlahor said: “I really like Wayne Rooney. It’s a different era, isn’t it? But for me, Rooney still edges Kane.”
Agbonlahor continued: “Everyone has different opinions, the new generation will pick Kane, but I would pick Rooney. It’s easy for people to forget how good he was. I love everything about Rooney, he was fearless. We used to play against him, and he would absolutely go for you.
“I remember once, the referee dropped the ball for a 50-50 challenge. It was against Dawson of Hull City, and Rooney went into him so hard.
“Rooney could do everything, he was faster than you’d think. He could run from deep, and he could play as a number 10. Look at some of the goals he scored, like the one from near the halfway line when he returned to Everton.”
MK Dons Women captain Favour Omenazu has received a late invitation to join the Super Falcons squad for Nigeria’s 2028 Olympic Games qualifying double-header against Comoros.
Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen called up the versatile midfielder following the withdrawal of some of the players initially invited for the second-round qualifying fixture.
The call-up marks the first time the 24-year-old has been selected to represent the Super Falcons.
Omenazu was eligible to play for both England and Nigeria but has opted to represent the 10-time African champions at international level.
MK Dons have congratulated their women’s captain on earning her maiden international call-up.
“We are all incredibly proud of #MKDonsWomen’s captain, Favour Omenazu, who has received her first international call-up to represent Nigeria’s Super Falcons,” the club said in a post on X.
“Favour has been selected for Nigeria’s upcoming 2028 Olympic qualifying double-header against Comoros on Friday 9th and Tuesday 13th October.
“Go and smash it, Favour we know you will “
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