Report reveals systematic abuse in the US women’s soccer league

First modification: 05/10/2022 – 04:24

Systematic abuse at all levels and ignoring the accusations of the players by their highest authorities. This is the common factor that defines a report released the day before by the United States Women’s Professional Soccer League.

The document reveals that verbal and emotional abuse and inappropriate sexual behavior are a common scenario in all categories of the League.

The report highlights that the League and the Federation “not only systematically failed to respond adequately when confronted with complaints from players and displays of abuse, but also to put in place measures to prevent and address it.”

Manipulative behavior was exposed by club owners, active and retired players and staff, which was shown as abuse of power. It also highlighted a pattern of sexual abuse against athletes that materialized through inappropriate comments, touching, and coerced sexual relations.

These practices became frequent by not punishing those responsible, using as a solution the change of team of those indicated and thanking them for their services in press releases, according to the documentation presented.

Three technicians are especially mentioned as examples of this unfortunate event: Paul Riley, Rory Dames and Christy Holly. In the case of Rory Dames, on his youth team, Chicago Eclipse Select, he referred to his players with epithets such as “retarded”, other serious adjectives that affect dignity and crossed “on several occasions the line of sexual relations ”.

When promoted to the Chicago Red Stars team, a hostile environment with verbal abuse during the games was experienced in the group, according to the published pages. However, it is detailed that, last season, five teams in the league separated their coaches after complaints from some players.

Among the recommendations that are left on the table are the creation of a regulation that typifies inappropriate behavior, accountability, greater transparency and enabling ways for players to channel their concerns.

Reactions to the report

“Heartbreaking and deeply troubling” were the words used by US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone. She is even mentioned in the report as being the victim of an inappropriate comment by an executive of the team she coached, the Portland Thorns.

“I’ve been a part of this game my whole life, from youth to professional level to international level, so the women’s game is really important to me. And I know a lot of the players in this report. I coached a lot of them. them,” he said.

It was also learned that Portland owner Merrit Paulson has stepped down from decision-making at his club, pending the release of several ongoing investigations. Paulson, who also owns MLS’s Portland Timbers, plans to stay off the board until investigations by the players’ union and the league are complete.

“I know it was even more difficult and darker for those whose stories were shared publicly. I cannot apologize enough for our role in a serious systemic failure to protect player safety and the missteps we made in 2015. I am so sorry.” With him, two more directors withdrew until the results are known.

Support for the 172-page document was also heard from the United States Congress.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, chairman of the Senate Commerce subcommittee that oversees his country’s amateur and Olympic athletes, called the report “damning,” saying it would prompt legislative hearings.