Moroccan delegation secretary-general Nour Eddine Ben Abdennebi has insisted Hassan Saada - a member of the boxing team - will be proved innocent of allegations he sexually assaulted two Brazilian housekeepers in the Olympic Village.

1 00:00:00:00 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Nour Eddine Ben Abdennebi, secretary-general of Moroccan delegation:
"First of all, there is an accusation of the Moroccan champion (Hassan) Saada for harrassment. I can tell you the circumstances but I reserve the details for legal reasons. The first thing is that the accused is innocent until proven guilty, so for the moment he is innocent because the court hasn't said it's verdict. The second thing is, he did not go out of his way to look for this girl or harass her on the street. He was in his room when the two cleaners came in they chatted with the Moroccan athlete. They exchanged Olympic pins. They say he harassed them but he says nothing happened. Now, the Brazilian police came in and took him to court to listen to his version. We intervened with the Moroccan embassy with a lawyer. Unfortunately because he is under investigation he can't take part today in his competition. So there is no conviction, only doubts. The most important thing he didn't go out to look for them but they did come to his room and exchange a conversation. Harassment is relative in the world and in the US the law punishes for a look. There are different cultures. (In) Arab culture you shake hands or kiss. it's important to mention that it was not rape, there is a difference between rape and harassment. We leave it to justice to do it's job. Unfortunately our champion will not compete - despite the fact he is not guilty."

2. 00:02:20:15 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Nour Eddine Ben Abdennebi, secretary-general of Moroccan delegation:
"No, no, there was no rape, no sexual relationship, maybe a touch - but I didn't attend the investigation and I have no right to speak about things that may affect the case. The issue has been blown out (of proportion) because we are in an international event and both sides want to appear in a particular way."

3. 00:02:55:06 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Nour Eddine Ben Abdennebi, Secretary General of Moroccan Delegation:
"He is in custody, they treated him very well. I didn't see him but there is a legal system, there is justice and we respect it. We respect the Brazilian legal system. I hope there will be justice in the case and let's not blow things bigger than they are (out of proportion)."

4 00: 03:20:00 00: SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Nour Eddine Ben Abdennebi, Secretary General of Moroccan Delegation:
"He had the weigh in this morning but he has missed it, unfortunately.I hope this does not affect the rest of the athletes. From the beginning, we emphasised the importance of the mental side and now we are with them in the Olympic Village to encourage them to do something for their friend and represent Morocco in the best way possible."

5. 00: 03:49:22 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Nour Eddine Ben Abdennebi, Secretary General of Moroccan Delegation:
"There is an investigation, there are witnesses, he wasn't alone in the apartment. There were (other) athletes there. There was no noise, no screaming and no call for help, nothing. What happened is that the lady went to the police 24 hours after the incident as a witness, he also has witnesses. His lawyer will take all these things in consideration to strengthen his position and to protect him - and to also protect ourselves."