The All India Football Federation (AIFF) have suspended U-17 women's team assistant coach Alex Ambrose after reports from The Away End alleged that the former Indian national team footballer has been sent back to India from a tour in Europe for misconduct with a player of the team.
The Away End reported that Ambrose denied his involvement in the matter, but 'incriminating photographs and chats were found on the mobile phone of the minor footballer in question'. Sources also informed the media outlet that verbal complaints had previously been filed against the coach from members of different batches of the Indian national women’s teams.
The AIFF's statement on Thursday, July 30, said, "An event of misconduct has been reported in the U17 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. The AIFF has asked the concerned individual to stop all contact with the team, return to India immediately, and be physically present for further investigations upon his arrival."
Ambrose was in charge of scouting for the upcoming U-17 FIFA Women's World Cup which is slated to take place in India at the end of this year. This news follows the resignation of general secretary Kushal Das, who was also accused of misconduct before the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators pushed for him to put in his resignation papers on 'health grounds'
Ambrose was a part of the coaching staff for the team's tour of Italy but was not seen in the squad pictures when the side arrived in Norway on Wednesday, July 29. After their loss in the four-nation U-17 tournament, the side will be touring Norway as a part of their preparations for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year. The side have been drawn alongside Brazil, USA, and Morocco in Group A.
(Photo credit: Indian football twitter)
