Zambia’s coach, Bruce Mwape, has been accused of sexual misconduct at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Mwape, according to reports touched his player’s chest inappropriately two days before his country’s last Group game over Costa Rica.

Guardian reported that, a source close to the squad, stated that several players saw Mwape rubbing his hands over the chest of one of their teammates last Friday after training.

“It’s not appropriate for a coach to be touching a player’s breasts,” said the source.

World Football Governing Body FIFA, confirmed it received an official complaint about the alleged incident and has commenced investigation.

FIFA said sexual misconduct allegations are taken very seriously, and it’s essential that the body investigates the matter thoroughly.

If guilt is established, FIFA will take strong sanctions against Mwepu, including potential removal from the game for life.

Mwape, who led Zambia to her first ever World Cup, is not new to controversy as he was investigated for sexual misconduct just before the FIFA World Cup.

The Zambian FA, FAZ, said in September 2022 that it had referred an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse in the women’s game to FIFA. ​

Mwape and the U17s coach Kaluba Kangwa are understood to be among the FAZ employees who were investigated for sexual misconduct.