The Prosecutor’s Office of Taranto in southern Italy has opened a formal investigation into an alleged sexual assault and abuse involving a French female athlete and a Moroccan footballer at the Mediterranean Games, according to Italian media reports.
Investigation Launched by Taranto Prosecutors Over Cruise Ship Incident
The alleged incident took place aboard the Aroya, one of two cruise ships utilized as the Mediterranean Village to house participating athletes and delegations during the multi-sport competition. According to reports from Italian media outlets, the two athletes had dined together before the male player accompanied the female competitor toward the vessel’s pool area. The French athlete subsequently alleged that the footballer made unwanted sexual insinuations despite her clear discomfort. After repeated insistence, she chose to walk away and file a formal police complaint.
Investigators from the Taranto Public Prosecutor’s Office have secured security camera footage from the ship to reconstruct the timeline and circumstances of the encounter. Local reporting indicated that a medical examination performed on the complainant found no physical injuries consistent with an assault.
Player Status and Departure Following the Mediterranean Games
The unidentified Moroccan footballer remains at liberty and has already returned to Morocco. His departure followed the conclusion of the Moroccan national team’s fixtures at the Mediterranean Games, which conclude on Thursday. Italian authorities continue to examine the vessel’s surveillance footage and review statements as the inquiry proceeds.
