Assistant coach of Indian U-17 women's football team suspended over alleged 'misconduct'
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NEW DELHI: The coach of the Indian U-17 women's football team has been suspended and recalled from Norway for alleged "misconduct" with a minor player during a training tour to Europe.
The Committee of Administrators (CoA), which handles the affairs of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), informed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) about the incident.
"An event of misconduct has been reported in the U-17 women's team, currently on an exposure tour to Europe. The AIFF follows a zero-tolerance policy on indiscipline. As an initial action, the Federation has provisionally suspended the individual pending further investigation," a statement from the CoA said.
"The AIFF has asked the individual concerned to stop all contact with the team, return to India immediately, and be physically present for further investigations upon his arrival," the statement added.
Currently, the team is touring Europe as part of preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, which will be hosted by the country from October 11 to 30. The COA did not reveal the name of the person involved, but sources claimed that it was Alex Ambrose, the team's assistant coach, who forced the underage player to engage in the "inappropriate" act.
The source says head coach Thomas Dennerby himself witnessed the "incident" and immediately informed the AIFF himself.
"After Dennerby sent a report from Europe, the CoA acted immediately and informed the SAI. The culprit was called back without wasting any time. Ambrose is also set to face criminal charges since the girl is a minor," the source said.
Cases of sexual assault have been cropping up in Indian sports from time to time. A female cyclist recently accused the national coach of inappropriate behaviour during a training trip to Slovenia. The coach has been fired and is facing a detailed investigation. A female sailor had also alleged that the accompanying coach made her feel uncomfortable during her overseas exposure.
With PTI inputs