TEHRAN: Iran’s sports minister has initiated an investigation into allegations of sexual assault against minors at a football academy in the country’s northeastern region, as reported by state media.

According to state news agency, “A former media manager for the Shahr Khodro football team has claimed on social media that the parents of 15 players from this club and its academy have filed a complaint against the club and its coaches for sexually assaulting their children.”

Details regarding the gender of the alleged victims were not provided in the report. Shahr Khodro football club is based in the holy city of Mashhad, which is Iran’s second-largest city.

IRNA further stated, “Minister of Sports Hamid Sajadi ordered an investigation two weeks ago into reports of an assault at a football academy for adolescents in Mashhad.”