Orlando Pride general manager and vice president of soccer operations Haley Carter has filed a complaint with FIFA against the Zambia Football Association on behalf of new signing Grace Chanda, ESPN has confirmed.
The complaint, first reported by African media outlet Bolanews, is over the Zambian FA's “failure to provide a reasonable standard of care for the health and safety of players” after Chanda suffered a quadriceps tendon tear while playing for Zambia at the 2024 Olympics.
Chanda left Zambia's opening match at the Olympics (a 3-0 loss to the United States) after 38 minutes due to injury.
She did not play in the tournament again.
Carter posted on social media platform X that Chanda was “[asked] “Continue training and play the opening match after the injury.”
Orlando signed Chanda in May and she was scheduled to begin playing with the Pride after the Olympics. However, Chanda was placed on the season-ending injury list earlier this month.
An Orlando Pride spokesperson confirmed that Carter, not the club, filed the complaint with FIFA and that Carter could not comment further because the investigation was ongoing.
ESPN has reached out to FIFA for comment.
“We are incredibly disappointed for Grace about this injury and how it occurred,” Carter said in a statement earlier this month. “Thankfully, she is receiving the best care possible with our medical and performance teams here at the club and through Orlando Health. While her debut in the purple jersey will be later than planned, it is imperative that we prioritize her health and well-being through a safe and responsible return to the court.”
Carter had previously posted on social media that Chanda was subjected to “inadequate medical and performance resources” as well as economy class travel from Orlando to France for the Olympics.
Zambia's football operations were already under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct by head coach Bruce Mwape.
FIFA opened that investigation last year and it remained open until the 2024 Olympics, where Mwape was banned from having any private contact with players but remained on the sidelines coaching the team.
Zambia lost all three games at the 2024 Olympics, conceding 13 goals. Chanda signed with the Pride through the 2025 NWSL season, with a mutual option for 2026.
He previously played for Madrid CFF in Spain's top flight and was on the shortlist for the 2022 African player of the year award.
Chanda was ruled out of the 2023 World Cup on the eve of Zambia's opening match due to what the federation reported as illness.
Orlando is undefeated in 17 games this season and sits atop the NWSL standings with 41 points.
The Pride are seeking their first NWSL shield (and first trophy overall) and just their second playoff appearance since joining the NWSL in 2016.
Orlando is led by Zambian forward Barbra Banda, whose 12 goals rank second in the league.
