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Junya Ito's (31, Reims) scandal has turned his team upside down.

The Japanese national team has been rocked by the sexual assault scandal of Junya Ito ahead of their round of 16 match. Ito is accused of sexually assaulting two women at a hotel after drinking with them in Osaka on Jan. 31, after their A match.

Two of the women have now filed sexual assault charges against him. Ito was named to the substitutes' bench against Bahrain but did not play, and he declined a post-match interview.

He maintains his innocence, and the women are suing him. Ito is seeking a large amount of damages.

The Japan Football Association held a press conference in Qatar on the 2nd to officially announce Ito's expulsion. JFA President Yukizo Tajima said, 안전놀이터 "We apologize for this very noisy incident, but in conclusion, after consulting with Coach Moriyasu and Ito, Ito is finally expelled from the Asian Cup team."

As a result, Ito will not be able to play in the quarterfinals against Iran on Wednesday. Kaoru Mitoma, who has recovered from injury, is likely to start in his place.

Reims coach Steele said, "I don't have much to say before I speak to Ito directly. We will wait for the official announcement from the club. We don't know what happened. I hope he's innocent, because it's serious. We have to follow the principle of presumption of innocence," he said.