Photo: WILLIAM WEST/Getty Images
By: EFE Posted Jul 25, 2023, 11:20 am EDT
Banned questions, astonished looks, absolute silence. The shadow of the accusations alleged sexual abuse by the selector Bruce Mwape against their players has eclipsed the Zambia’s first participation in a World Cup in its history.
In a press conference this Tuesday, prior to Zambia’s clash with Spain, the coach starred in a confrontation with the Spanish media by refusing to comment on the serious accusations against him, despite the insistence of various journalists.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) reported, without citing names, in September last year that it has forwarded an investigation into alleged allegations of sexual abuse in the heart of the country’s women’s soccer to the authorities and to FIFA, who have indirectly splashed the national team.
Although this is not a recent case -and one that many denounce by turning a blind eye to Mwape’s role in the historic performance of the “Copper Queens”- The accusations came to light again after a report by the newspaper “The Guardian” that compiled witnesses from a player and people close to the absolute.
Thus, as soon as he landed in New Zealand to play a World Cup for the first time in the country’s history, football stepped aside and all eyes focused on the coach, who, between silence and satire, tries to stay out of the controversy.
On his arrival at the airport, Mwape complained that the press “kept talking about the same accusations” A year has passed since they were announced.
“What are you talking about? Because I can’t leave without reason, it’s something you’re reading in the media, in the press, But the truth will come out. Do not rely on rumors only“He stated this Tuesday at a press conference when a journalist asked if he had thought of leaving the senior team due to the accusations.
Previously, another Spanish reporter had already tried, without success, to ask about the case. The response came from the FIFA staff in the room: “We are not going to answer non-soccer related questions.”
The tension could be cut with a razor. The astonished expression of the captain, Barbra Banda, unintentionally denounced the unleashed crisis, while the seconds of silence from the coach, before vetoing freedom of the press, they made the discomfort grow.
The journalists tried, in vain, to repeat the question to the Zambian captain, who before she could begin to formulate the words was abruptly interrupted by the Zambian press officer.
“These questions will not be answered”he added, to immediately end the conference when several reporters were still waiting for their turn to ask questions.
It is striking that the ban on journalists and the disconcerting silence take place precisely in the women’s World Cup that aims to be the most egalitarian and even in the history of football.
In the press rooms of the different venues, as well as the stadiums that will host the matches, there are plenty of posters that guide women -whether they are journalists or fans- about the steps to follow in case they suffer sexual harassment.
A meritorious attitude, were it not for the hesitation in offering forceful answers to so many open questions.
Consulted by EFE, FIFA adopted a diplomatic stance and said that its “Independent Ethics Committee does not comment on whether or not investigations are being carried out on alleged cases.”
Asked if the veto of certain questions by the media could become commonplace in World Cup activities, the highest authority in global soccer, as well as the institution’s staff at the stadium, He said they would not comment.
Keep reading:
· Controversy in the 2023 Women’s World Cup: United States players defend their right not to sing the national anthem
· Women’s World Cup: 4 records in which women surpass men in the soccer world cups
· The Women’s World Cup began: 12 footballers that you cannot miss