Iranian soccer team official accused of sexual harassment in Asian Games

INCHEON, South Korea - An equipment manager for the Iranian men's soccer team faces police investigation on suspicion of sexually harassing a South Korean female volunteer at a stadium, an official at the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC) confirmed on Tuesday.

The Iranian, whose name was not disclosed, is suspected of groping a female volunteer on Monday inside Ansan Wa Stadium, according to IAGOC overseas press relations manager Bruce Lee. The stadium is one of the soccer venues for the Asiad in Incheon, the host city north of Ansan.

The 38-year-old allegedly approached the voluntter by asking her to take a picture and then touched her bosom and bottom, said Lee.

"At the moment he is investigated by the police without detenion. Depending on the further situation, he might be forbidden from leaving the country," Lee told Xinhua. "But, actually, he is now a suspect. The police should investigate in details the claim is correct or not raised by the volunteer."

Lee added that the IAGOC and the Olympic Coucil of Asia (OCA) have notified all the NOC delegations of this incident.

"We had a chef de mission meeting this morning in the Athletes Village. All the National Olympic Committees were asked to let their athletes and officials know that they should be concerned about the host country's practices and customs," he said.