While the FIFA Women's World Cup is going in full swing in Australia and New Zealand, a massive controversy of 'sexual misconduct' by a coach has shocked the world. While everything was going well. FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 was marred with sexual harassment controversy on Zambia's coach named Bruce Mwape. Bruce Mwape, the coach of Zambia women's football team, was accused of rubbing his hands over the chest of one of his players just two days before the team won their first match. As soon as Bruce Mwape's sexual misconduct allegations came to the fore, the entire world came together and slammed him. Also, netizens on social media demanded a thorough investigation by FIFA into Bruce Mwape's sexual harassment case and strict action against him if found guilty. Now, FIFA has finally nodded to an urgent investigation and Bruce Mwape's legal trouble might amp up amid the ongoing Women's World Cup.
How did Bruce Mwape's sexual harassment case come to light?
As per reports, Zambia took to the field against Costa Rica in New Zealand on Monday, coming out on top 3-1 and placing third in their group. A prominent media portal quoted a source claiming that several players saw Mwape rub his hands over the chest of a teammate on Friday. “It’s not appropriate for a coach to be touching a player’s breasts," the source informed the portal.
After Bruce Mwape's sexual harassment case was reported, FIFA swung into action and issued a detailed statement. "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...We can confirm that a complaint has been received in relation to the Zambian women’s national team and this is currently being investigated. We cannot provide further details regarding an ongoing investigation for obvious confidentiality reasons...Anyone who wishes to report allegations or information related to abuse in football can do so via Fifa’s confidential reporting platform, with all information that is submitted to Fifa handled in the strictest of confidence...In addition, Fifa offers support and assistance to ensure the safety of those who report a safeguarding issue, including witnesses who come forward and give testimony in Fifa judicial cases...Where guilt is established, Fifa takes the strongest possible sanctions, including removing people from the game for life. Our track record demonstrates this."
It is pertinent to mention here that neither the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) nor Bruce Mwape has issued any statement. For the unversed, Bruce Mwape is the head coach of the Zambia Women's Football Team who take over the office in 2018 succeeding Albert Kachinga who returned to club football. Under his coaching, Zambia secured a berth in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.