Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's regional police force, arrested a 35-year-old coach at Joventut de Badalona on Tuesday 15 September over an alleged offence against sexual freedom involving an underage person, according to Línia Xarxa.
The case is the second involving a coach connected to the Badalona basketball club this week. Joventut said it has temporarily suspended both collaborators while allegations of inappropriate conduct or breaches of regulations are examined.
Club says cases are not linked
Línia Xarxa reported that ACN, the Catalan News Agency, confirmed the arrest and that the allegation concerned the harassment of a minor. The investigation is continuing.
Sources familiar with both cases told ACN that the two investigations are not connected, apart from both arrested men working at Joventut. The second man had been with the club for around three weeks, according to the report.
Joventut said the allegation concerning the second arrest related to events said to have happened before he joined the club.
Joventut suspends two collaborators
The club, commonly known as Penya, issued a statement on Wednesday after the second arrest. It said both collaborators had been preventively suspended.
“Zero tolerance” applies to situations that could affect “people's integrity, safety or wellbeing”, the club said.
Joventut also said it remained committed to maintaining “safe and respectful” environments.
Reported by liniaxarxa.cat, Línia Xarxa.
