OCA vows zero tolerance for sexual harassment

INCHEON, South Korea - The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Wednesday issued a zero tolerance policy for any cases of sexual harassment at the upcoming 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

After removing the Asian Games accreditation of an Iranian football official for a case of verbal sexual harassment against a volunteer, the OCA said they would not tolerate any cases of harassment of volunteers.

The OCA named the Iranian delegation member as Mr Amereh Ahmad (AD Card No 5206521).

The Director General of the OCA, Mr Husain Al-Musallam, said: "We have held a complete investigation, together with the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee, into the case involving a member of the Iranian delegation regarding a football match at Ansan City.

"It was not a matter of a physical attack; it was verbal sexual harassment."

"The OCA will not tolerate any misbehaviour of this nature and we will take a tough stance. We cannot accept this, so we have removed him from the Games."

The OCA has cancelled the AD card of the Iranian official and banned him from all Asian Games-related sites, including the Athletes Village, venues and hotels. The OCA has also asked the National Olympic Committee of Iran to send Ahmad back to his country.