08 March 2023 , 11:00
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The head coach of Ligue 1 side Angers has resigned after defending a player on a sexual assault charge by claiming: “It’s not nasty - we’ve all touched girls before.”
Abdel Bouhazama made the claim to his team in the dressing room before losing 5-0 to Montpellier on Sunday to justify his selection of left-back IIyes Chetti. The Algerian has been charged with the sexual assault of a woman in an Angers nightclub during the World Cup break.
L’Equipe reported that Bouhazama had made the remarks after a leak from a shocked player. Bouhazama admitted the remarks - which he claimed had been intended to boost the morale of Ilyes - but told the French sports daily: “I also say that what was done by the player is not good,. But I also say that we all made mistakes and done stupid things. Who has not made a mistake like Ilyes? That’s it.
"I do not support his gesture, I am a father, I have two daughters. As my player was going to play, it was to put him in good conditions, so that we de-dramatise."
But Bouhazma resigned on Tuesday from the club bottom of Ligue 1. An Angers club statement said: “A controversy arose on Monday after comments, taken out of context, held during the pre-game talk, were leaked to the local and national press.
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"Faced with media pressure, and to preserve the image of the club and the serenity of the locker room, Abdel Bouhazama announced to president Said Chabane that he had decided to leave his position as coach of the professional team.
“The club does not accept any form of discrimination and condemns sexism and misogyny. Abdel Bouhazama has apologised to his colleagues, especially women, and has therefore preferred to draw the consequences of both his record and his blunders.”
Bouhazama was only appointed in November but has yet to win a game. They have lost nine and drawn two under his leadership and are 12 points from safety.