SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean police are investigating a second sexual harassment case involving a football player or official at the Asian Games in Incheon.
Inspector Ahn Jeong-hee on Wednesday said police have asked prosecutors to indict a 19-year-old Palestinian player for allegedly harassing a female staff member at the athletes’ village.
Ahn said the man admitted to touching the 25-year-old South Korean woman Tuesday after proposing that the pair pose for a photograph.
South Korean authorities have subsequently banned the man from leaving the country, another police officer Park Gi-soo said. If convicted, the Palestinian player could face a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, Park said.
The latest case emerged a day after police started investigating an equipment manager from Iran’s national football team who allegedly sexually harassed a female volunteer at an Asian Games stadium.
Police said the Iranian man denied the allegations. The football competition started last Sunday, with the official Asian Games opening ceremony set for Friday.