In response to an inquiry into suspected abuse and misbehaviour in the National Women’s Soccer League, the league said Monday that four coaches will be permanently banned as part of disciplinary action taken against many persons and clubs.
Paul Riley (ex-North Carolina coach), Rory Dames (ex-Chicago Red Stars coach), Richie Burke (ex-Washington Spirit coach), and Christy Holly (ex-Racing Louisville coach) were all suspended from coaching in the league.
Alyse LaHue, formerly of the Gotham Girls, and Craig Harrington, formerly of the Utah Royals, have both been banned from all NWSL-related employment until January 9, 2025.
NWSL Permanently Bans Four Coaches Amid Alleged Abuse And Misconduct Scandal
In response to an inquiry into suspected abuse and misbehaviour in the National Women’s Soccer League, the league said Monday that four coaches will be permanently banned as part of disciplinary action taken against many persons and clubs.
Paul Riley (ex-North Carolina coach), Rory Dames (ex-Chicago Red Stars coach), Richie Burke (ex-Washington Spirit coach), and Christy Holly (ex-Racing Louisville coach) were all suspended from coaching in the league.
Alyse LaHue, formerly of the Gotham Girls, and Craig Harrington, formerly of the Utah Royals, have both been banned from all NWSL-related employment until January 9, 2025.
Late last month, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and its players’ association published the findings of an investigation into allegations of “widespread wrongdoing” against NWSL players dating back to the league’s inception nearly a decade ago.
Two of Riley’s former players complained of harassment and sexual coercion, prompting the investigation. Riley was one of five NWSL coaches who were either fired or resigned in 2021 due to allegations of misconduct. U.S. Soccer conducted its own probe into league-wide allegations of wrongdoing.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement on Monday that the league will continue to prioritise developing and improving rules, procedures, and systems that put the health and safety of our players first.
Such deeds are crucial to the long-term health of our league as we work to improve conditions for players on and off the field.
Several others will be reinstated to their NWSL roles after admitting wrongdoing, undergoing rehabilitative training, and promising to behave appropriately. Former Orlando Pride head coach Amanda Cromwell and her assistants Sam Greene and Aline Reis, as well as former Reign head coach Farid Benstiti, were among them.
The Chicago Red Stars were fined $1.5 million, the Portland Thorns were fined $1 million, the Racing Louisville was fined $200,000, and the North Carolina Courage were fined $100,000. Both The Reign and Gotham were hit with a $50,000 fine.
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NWSL: Second Report Reveals Findings Amid Misconduct Allegations
A second audit that was commissioned by the National Women’s Super League and its players union discovered pervasive and ongoing misbehaviour in the National Women’s Super League, which is the highest level of competition for women’s football in the United States.
The findings of this investigation were made public on Wednesday and were largely consistent with the findings of another independent investigation that took place in October and found that “more than half” of all NWSL clubs were guilty of misconduct. Both investigations were conducted independently.
Several players, notably the captain of the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), Becky Sauerbrunn, have spoken out against the abuse that has taken place, and Sauerbrunn has revealed that her teammates are “horrified and devastated” about the situation.
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How Did The Investigation Come About?
Following the publication of an article in The Athletic in 2021 that documented allegations of sexual harassment and coercion made against former Portland Thorns head coach Paul Riley, the Yates report and the joint investigation conducted by the NWSL and NWSLPA were initially begun.
Riley has refuted the charges, but the North Carolina Courage decided to terminate her employment as a result of the allegations. As a result of the allegations levelled against him in 2021, he was one of five head coaches in the league that either lost their jobs or resigned that year.
Additionally, the investigation acknowledged other charges of misbehaviour, one of which was the previous manager of the Chicago Red Stars, Rory Dames, who was discovered to have verbally and emotionally abused players.
What Did The Latest Report Say?
Covington & Burling LLP and Weil, Gotshal and Manges LLIP, who made up the investigation team for the newest inquiry, produced a report which read:
“The underlying culture of the NWSL produced fertile ground for malfeasance to go unnoticed. “Institutions supposed to investigate and address misconduct failed to do so effectively.
“US Soccer, the league, and individual clubs were not clear on which entity held the ultimate responsibility for adopting and implementing policies and practises relating to misconduct.”
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, said the study showed how the league has persistently failed to protect players.
In a statement, she said: “They deserve, at a minimum, a safe and secure atmosphere to play at the greatest level in a sport they love.
“We are dedicated to make all the necessary changes to provide a safe and happy environment for our players, staff and fans.”
Meanwhile, US Soccer made their own statement, stating how they are dedicated to safeguarding the safety of athletes.
“We are appreciative to the NWSL and NWSLPA for their significant work to investigate the issues that led to abuse in women’s professional soccer and to develop effective steps to protect player safety moving forward.
“US Soccer has carefully communicated and co-operated with the NWSL and NWSLPA throughout their investigation. We have a same goal of creating a safe, healthy environment for players.”
Final Words
In response to an inquiry into suspected abuse and misbehaviour in the National Women’s Soccer League, the league said Monday that four coaches will be permanently banned as part of disciplinary action taken against many persons and clubs.
