Suresh, Gurpreet condemn sexual misconduct incident in U-17 team

Former professional player Darren Caldeira also reacted the news.

Indian internationals Suresh Wangham, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and former player Darren Caldeira have called for the safety of women in the Indian football system following allegations of sexual misconduct by India U-17 women's team assistant coach Alex Ambrose.

Ambrose was sacked from his position and asked to return home from Italy midway through the contingent's European exposure tour. ESPN have reported that criminal proceedings have started against Ambrose. Dr. Sy Quraishi, a member of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators, had tweeted that Ambrose has been sacked.

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Blue Tigers' midfielder Suresh called for a 'thorough investigation' of the 'disturbing' incident. He hoped that the 'guilty' party are punished harshly. "How will parents allow their daughters to pursue football professionally when there is no system for their safety?" asked Suresh in his tweet. "We should do more."

His Bengaluru FC teammate Gurpreet feels that the incident is another reminer that more needs to be done for safety of women's footballers in India. "Sexual misdemeanours should have no place in society, let alone football," he said in a tweet.

"It is our responsibility to make sure that we protect everyone involved with our sport we love so much. Let's put some genuine thought and effort to see how we can better the environment for our girls and boys, through the ranks."

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Former player-turned-comemntator Darren Caldeira said that the news has left him 'shook' and 'feeling rather sick'. He also added that he's had to gather his thoughts and hopes that the victim 'is getting all the help and support to deal with what she has been through.'

"Sexual predators should have no place in the game, and nothing but the harshest punishment should be meted out to the guilty," Darren said in his tweet.

Reports of the alleged misconduct by the assistant coach first appeared on May 30 (Thursday). A day before the U-17 women's team were to begin their campaign in the Open Nordic Tournament in Norway. The AIFF in a statement had then said that they had asked the 'guilty' to return home.

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