Amereh Ahmad, a football equipment manager, was charged by police following a complaint from a female volunteer at a football stadium and banned from all Games sites in South Korea before being sent home by the Iranian team.

"It was not a matter of a physical attack; it was verbal sexual harassment," said Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) director general Husain Al-Musallam.

"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."

Police are also investigating a Palestinian footballer, whose name has not been revealed, after a female worker claimed she was groped in an Athletes' Village laundry room.

The athlete, who has been banned from leaving the country, was charged without physical detention and the case transferred to the prosecutor's office.

Elsewhere, a third case relating to the Asian Games sees an Indian gymnast and his coach under investigation for allegedly harassing a female athlete at a pre-Games camp in New Delhi.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah regrets the incidents ahead of the Asian Games
©Getty Images


Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the President of the OCA, said his organisation had taken the necessary action in response to the incidents.

"We are sorry to start the Games with these kinds of incidents," he told Reuters.

"There was a quick resolution, the Organising Committee and the city appreciated that the OCA did our job.

"But we are sorry about this.

"I think now others will understand what is against the law and what are the lines they cannot cross.

"Although this is a negative incident, there can be a positive from it.

"It is part of the Games to educate, to exchange cultures and to understand other nationalities and cultures."

Incheon 2014 has now put up signs around Games venues warning against harassment.

"Sexual violence is a serious crime that impoverishes the victim's mind and mentality," read the notices.

"Sexual violence includes any behaviour that causes sexual humiliation through physical contact.

"The assailant will definitely be punished and may bring down the virtue of his/her nation."

The matter is due to be discussed further at a scheduled meeting of OCA, National Olympic Committee and Incheon 2014 officials on Friday (September 19) ahead of the Asian Games, which also get underway on Friday and continue until October 4.

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