By Michael Randazzo, Swimming World Contributor

Multiple news outlets in the Los Angeles area have reported that Bahram Hojreh, a prominent Southern California youth water polo coach, has been accused of sexually abusing seven of his female players in Los Alamitos, CA.

Sean Emery and Dan Albano of the Ocean County Register report that the 42-year-old Hojreh faces nearly two-dozen felony and misdemeanor charges, including lewd acts upon a child, sexual penetration of a minor with a foreign object, child annoyance and sexual battery.

According to the indictment handed down by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the assaults allegedly occurred between September 2014 and January 2018 when Hojreh was coaching at the International Water Polo Club in Los Alamitos. Prosecutors suggest the abuse took place during one-on-one coaching sessions between Hojreh and his players, four of whom were 15 years old or younger at the time.

In comments to the Ocean County Register, Ricardo Nicol, Hojreh’s attorney, said his client “adamantly denies” the allegations. Nicol noted that his client has no prior record of improper behavior.

“A guy that has been involved in the sport for 30 years, who has an impeccable reputation, who has been entrusted with hundreds, if not thousands, of kids, he suddenly becomes a serial groper in the pool?” Nicol said. “Hopefully the truth wins out. But to me, there is something here that is not adding up.”

The arrest was noted in an email sent last night from USA Water Polo CEO, Christopher Ramsey to members of his organization, the governing body for the sport in America.

“We first learned of the allegations against Bahram Hojreh from the US Center for SafeSport in January, to which the allegations had been initially reported, and promptly suspended Mr. Hojreh from USAWP membership, including his seat on a regional board,” Ramsey’s email stated. “At that time, the Center also noted the suspension on their public database while their investigation into Mr. Hojreh’s conduct continued.”

He further explained the Center for SafeSport was specifically established to respond to allegations such as those made against suspected abusers like Hojreh.

“We fully support the Center in its efforts and fully cooperate with the Center in enforcing any sanctions that the Center may impose,” Ramsey added.

The US Center for SafeSport is a national nonprofit organization providing education, resources and training to promote respect and prevent abuse in sport. Adopted in 2012 by the United States Olympics Committee, SafeSport procedures have become standard training for any professionals and volunteers working with the 47 National Governing Bodies and 34 Multi-Sport Organizations—with a combined reach of 73 million members—that the USOC regulates.

In the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal at USA Gymnastics, which has seen its senior leadership forced to resign as a result of mishandling numerous sexual abuse allegations against Nassar, the organization’s team physician, many U.S. youth athletics organizations have re-examined their procedures for protecting members from sexual abuse. In response to an investigation by the Southern California News Group, USA Swimming President and CEO Tim Hinchey acknowledged lax oversight of abuse that occurred over decades.

For USA Water Polo, which has previously avoided the scandals that have negatively impacted its USOC brethren, the Hojreh accusations are a serious transgression that will likely cause the organization to examine how a coach who had risen to a relatively prominent regional position may have sexually violated his players.

“USA Water Polo has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct,” Ramsey said in his statement. For the sake of the organization’s 45,000 members, it’s imperative that USA Water Polo quickly touch bottom on the Hojreh situation.

The AFL career of Harley Bennell is once again hanging in the balance after the trouble-plagued midfielder was allegedly involved in a nightclub altercation with security staff.

Video footage has been aired by the Seven Network purportedly showing Bennell in a scuffle at club 189 in Fremantle on Sunday night.

Bennell reportedly failed to show up to training the next morning.

Fremantle released a statement saying they are investigating the alleged incident.

Several years ago, Bennell was rated as one of the AFL’s most promising players.

Bennell in hot water again

However, he has endured a string of injury problems amid off-field indiscretions since joining the Dockers from the Gold Coast two years ago.

Fremantle have stuck by Bennell to this point.

But midway through last year, they ordered him to undergo counselling and fined him $10,000 – half of which was suspended – after he displayed bizarre behaviour while watching a WAFL game.

The 24-year-old twice interrupted the three-quarter time huddle of the match between Peel Thunder and Swan Districts to speak to his cousin Traye Bennell.

Bennell was also kicked off a Gold Coast-bound flight before it departed in April because he was intoxicated.

He was banned from driving for nine months after being caught driving while suspended in December 2016.

Fremantle Dockers’ Harley Bennell runs during pre-season training in November. (Getty)

Bennell’s time at Gold Coast was also plagued by off-field controversies.

Before joining the Dockers, photos emerged of the then-Suns player allegedly using illicit drugs.

However, the Dockers were optimistic Bennell had turned the corner late last season when he made it back onto the park for two AFL games.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon was hopeful of injecting Bennell into the club’s forward and midfield mix for a full season in 2018.

But those hopes could be dashed with Fremantle’s next move set to determine Bennell’s fate.

If the Dockers decide enough is enough and axe Bennell, it’s unlikely another AFL club will pick him up given his troubled history.

But counting in Bennell’s favour is the fact that Fremantle never issued him a public final warning for his previous indiscretions, meaning he may be given another chance to win back the club’s trust.

Bennell has car impounded by WA police

Bennell’s current three-year deal runs out at the end of 2018.

Last season, Lyon spoke about the need to understand just how hard Bennell’s injury setbacks have been, and how they have played a part in his off-field misdemeanours.

“It would be a terrible shame, wouldn’t it, to lose a young indigenous footballer in this country of this level of talent?” Lyon said.

“If anything, it’s been self-harm that Harley’s been involved with … it’s not great for Harley more than anyone else.

“It’s been a tough road. He is working his way through (the calf injuries) with great character and great resilience.

“I can tell you, I would have crumbled. I would have been out of the system by now. I would have flicked the bails.

“He has great mental toughness. He is a better man than me.”

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