Zambia's Copper Queens coach accused of inappropriately touching FIFA worker at 2023 Women's World Cup

Zambia's women's national team coach Bruce Mwape is at the centre of new allegations of inappropriate conduct during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

According to a report in The Guardian, FIFA is investigating a complaint that Mwape inappropriately touched the breast of a female FIFA contractor who was working at the tournament. 

The incident allegedly occurred while Zambia's team stayed in an Auckland hotel before their match against Spain in the competition co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The anonymous contractor, who is from New Zealand, stated: "I remember him putting his hand on my shoulder to say 'Good morning', but then he went again and wiped his hand straight down the front, obviously touching my boob. “

“It happened so quickly. It felt wrong to me but I also questioned whether it had just been a mistake. As in by accident. But after that his relationship with me was very different. So I think he knew what he had done was not appropriate."

This is the second misconduct allegation against Mwape during the World Cup. In late July, he was the subject of an investigation into claims that he rubbed his hands over the chest of one of his own players after a training session, prior to Zambia's historic victory over Costa Rica.

The 64-year-old coach has previously denied the initial accusations. However, it has now emerged that before the World Cup, the Zambian Football Association reported allegations of sexual misconduct by Mwape involving multiple players in the squad to FIFA.

FIFA confirmed it is looking into both the new complaint as well as the previous allegations against Mwape. The coach remains in charge of the Zambian national team and is expected to lead them at the upcoming Olympic Games, despite the ongoing investigations.

This disturbing situation will undoubtedly raise serious concerns about player welfare and the conduct of coaching staff at the highest levels of the women's game. FIFA will be under pressure to handle these allegations swiftly and transparently.