From simultaneous kickoffs to end the regular season, to relegating the Challenge Cup to On Monday, NJ/NY Gotham FC released their highly anticipated preseason roster. Gulati said he could not recall the details regarding the Flash's consideration of Riley but told the Joint
These updates were provided under a common interest agreement, which restricted Levine's ability to share what she learned in those conversations. The NWSL did not distribute these player surveys consistently: player surveys were distributed yearly from 2013 to 2017, and again in 2020. 59, said that the staff member allowed the player "to get things reimbursed that didn't qualify" for reimbursement. D.
The NWSL's current processes and requirements, while improved, can be better implemented. In late 2020, the NWSLPA began advocating for the League to adopt an antiharassment policy. And while Sky Blue leadership, the League, and Racing Louisville knew that Holly had a relationship with Pearce Rampone, who had been one of his players, the relationship was generally viewed as not concerning because Pearce Rampone was older than Holly and a prominent figure within the women's soccer landscape. The training for players should address appropriate communication between coaches and players, including soccer-specific constructive criticism, and should provide examples of conduct or scenarios that professional players could potentially encounter. One player recalled that she and her teammates were told by their club, "People would die to be in [your] shoes," and that if the players had issues with the club or the League, they don't have a problem waiving you."
. The team, including the head coach, later engaged in conversations regarding creating a safe workplace for players. James Clarkson communicated with players in a manner that created anxiety and fear for multiple players. In June 2018, shortly after hearing about one of the complaints about Dames to the NWSL, Whisler texted Dames that he stopped coaching young women after age 12 because "too many angry players can destroy." Both before and after the NWSL implemented its Non-Fraternization Policy in 2018, clubs responded inconsistently to player-staff relationships. Several individuals separately confirmed Benstiti was explicitly told he could not discuss weight or food with the players. The player heard that during the meeting, Wilkinson asked about Shim's March 2021 email to the NWSL and stated he could not believe Riley had been hired by
Plush was aware that the Thorns launched an investigation, and he received some updates regarding the investigation. Alyse LaHue made unwanted sexual advances toward a player. While the investigation into Clarkson was ongoing, players submitted an additional formal complaint and again reached out to the Joint Investigative Team to raise both related and additional concerns about Clarkson's treatment of players, expressing fear that Clarkson would retaliate against them if he learned they had raised complaints. The training for coaches and other club staff should encourage athlete-centered coaching (focusing on the holistic development of players), effective partnerships between coaches and players, and soccer-specific constructive criticism.
Notwithstanding these discrepancies, based on the totality of evidence, including interviews and other documents, the Joint Investigative Team determined that LaHue's interactions with the player constituted misconduct.
Riley told her to get on his hotel bed to go over film, though she saw there was no film on the television. Towards the end of the interview, she told Garcia that she was afraid of what Riley could do to her career, noting Riley "ha[d] contacts, help[ed] players play overseas, [and had] big ties." 124, VII. As discussed above, after U.S. Soccer directed the League to hand over its investigation into Dames, the League was not briefed on the findings. Paulson's and Wilkinson's accounts of the information shared with the Flash are inconsistent with a document the Flash prepared for the Joint Investigative Team's review summarizing the club's vetting and hiring of Riley. 82, September 30, 2021, assistant coaches and any other club staff who would "regularly interact with the players" also became subject to NWSL vetting. OL was supportive of the decision to hire Benstiti, who had been employed as a head coach for OL from 2001-10. Players and club staff also described observing or learning of derogatory comments, negative stereotyping, and jokes about race and ethnicity by several other club coaches and leaders. 18 episodes. While Whisler told U.S. Soccer's investigator that Dames's demeanor" and "patience" had improved by 2019, in an external organizational climate review" the Red Stars conducted in the fall of 2021, players raised the same concerns about Dames that Press first raised in 2014. "A reopening of the 2015 investigation regarding former NWSL coach Paul Riley, including a review of the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Portland Thorns FC, and his subsequent hiring by Western New York Flash and the North Carolina Courage." At more than one club, one individual served as both head coach and general manager. 3. The Joint Investigative Team understands that the staff member did not remain with the club after members of the NWSL office shared with the club that the coach was known in the soccer community to be abusive. One player reported that Dames extended frequent social invitations, inviting players to get lunch or ice cream with him. Shim told the Joint Investigative Team that it would be an easy thing for Riley to claim that her performance had decreased to justify the drop in playing time. Gulati told the Joint Investigative Team that the Thorns said they would only share the 2015 investigative report with the NWSL and with U.S. Soccer's General Counsel, Levine. However, the extent to which clubs actually spoke to former owners, general managers, staff, or players who had worked with a coach varied drastically. In the almost year and half period from May 2018 to September 2019, the investigator spoke to only nine players. Background checks, reputational checks, and other forms of vetting are not an infallible defense against coaches or staff who engage in misconduct. Another player said Dames was "hostile and sarcastic" and would "shame" her, but would not pick on the top players" or "anyone with leverage." No further information was made public until October 2022. It did not contain a carve-out that would allow the club to voluntarily disclose Holly's misconduct to law enforcement. Simon recalled that when she told him he could not touch her like that and that it was messing with her, he responded, "If you don't want me to touch your tits, I won't touch your tits." Development of an Anti-Harassment Policy. Johnson recalled Flynn describing the incident as "a moment of poor judgment. Johnson said he did not understand from the conversation with Flynn that the incident had played a role in Riley's departure from the Thorns; rather, Johnson understood from Riley and from media reports that Riley's departure was related to a team performance issue. Shim later recalled that during the interview, Garcia appeared focused on whether Riley had engaged in unlawful harassment, and Garcia expressed that Shim did not have a legal claim because she was not able to provide corroborating evidence. Novo responded, "My answer is that Christy [Holly] has a very good and fair relationship with our players . The 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy prohibits a range of misconduct. Players reported they raised concerns during this meeting regarding Williams's ineffectiveness as a coach and unprofessional and demeaning communication style. (1)
Simon said that during her first year playing at Sky Blue, nothing "out of the ordinary" happened. Levine's explanation for her response to these emails was that she was focused on language in the emails regarding how the NWSL would respond to Shim's initial 2015 complaint-despite indicia in the emails that Shim and Farrelly were dissatisfied with the NWSL's response to Shim's 2015 complaint and despite Farrelly having provided additional pertinent information in her email.
However, players expressed reluctance about bringing complaints about coaching staff to management due to close relationships between management and coaching staff, coaching staff occupying dual coach-management roles, and club ownership's lack of engagement with their players. Multiple players, in public statements or in interviews with the Joint Investigative Team, reported that they experienced retaliation for reporting concerns about Dames. Consider Establishing Guidelines Regarding Socializing Between Players and Individuals with Supervisory Authority
Also no, it's not a double standard.
Simon recalled being scared and noted that Holly lived in her apartment building, so she wanted to know how the club could keep her safe and make sure Holly did not come to her apartment after he was fired. . . Shim described Riley as obsessed" with players' romantic and dating relationships. E. Reports of Misconduct in 2020 and 2021
The NWSL should enforce appropriate discipline against NWSL and club staff and players who do not timely
During that interview, she explained that she was more involved in on-the-field issues and that Chris Long was more involved in sponsorship and other business issues. The next day, the Thorns placed Riley on administrative leave pending an investigation, which Paulson directed Garcia to begin. Clarkson and Cromwell would be allowed to return to the league upon completing anti-harassment training and demonstrating a commitment to change. 69, that would allow us to travel home."
The Joint Investigative Team spoke to multiple current and former players from the Red Stars, ranging from Dames's first season in the NWSL to his last. Inadequate individual and institutional responses to this misconduct can further normalize and perpetuate the underlying bias, and dissuade reporting.
Because there was no requirement for clubs to consult former colleagues and players in the hiring process, clubs took an inconsistent approach and often collected only limited information about individuals' past conduct in the League, contributing to the issue of "recycling" individuals accused of misconduct into roles at other clubs. For example, individuals affiliated with U.S. Soccer denied that U.S. Soccer operated in a managerial role, despite the terms of the Management Agreement. Predmore confirmed that during the 2020 Challenge Cup, he was informed by a staff member that Benstiti made comments to a player about the quantity and type of food the player was eating during a team meal. One player reported that Williams stopped communicating with her, would ignore her when greeting other players, and made efforts to avoid her. According to one player, this staff member began dating the player mid-season. During that time, Lines spoke with Wilkinson, Lines's former teammate on the Portland Timbers and the New Zealand national team, regarding Riley and his suitability for the head coach role. The player recalled that Pauw "knocked on [her] door at night and invited herself in just to check how [her] apartment setup was." The NWSL should consider whether players and staff would benefit from the League establishing guidelines on appropriate socializing between players and individuals with supervisory authority over players, including head coaches. Despite receiving updates on the investigation, U.S. Soccer failed to follow up on evidence that suggested Riley may have had a more extensive relationship with Farrelly. The NWSL announced an investigation into abuse and misconduct towards NWSL players. She recalled thinking that now that he was the head coach for her team-and therefore her boss-the inappropriate behavior might stop.
The Joint Investigative Team also received credible reports of sexual misconduct by former Racing Louisville Head Coach Christy Holly, targeting player Erin Simon. For example, Angel City's policy as of 2021 stated that it was "committed to providing a workplace free of sexual or any form of unlawful harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on protected characteristics." It would be good to know those things exist, to get access. Novo could not recall the date of this meeting. Following the conclusion of the USSF Investigation, the Joint Investigative Team reviewed the Report of the Independent Investigation to the U.S. Soccer Federation Concerning Allegations of Abusive Behavior and Sexual Misconduct in Women's Professional Soccer (the "USSF Report"). 101, When players reported concerns about Dames or resisted his social invitations, they experienced retaliation. Develop and Enforce a Responsible Drinking Policy Applicable to All NWSL Staff, Club Staff, and Players
Paulson told the Joint Investigative Team that Garcia and an attorney presented the report to Thorns leadership. The policy provides multiple options for players to report concerns, including via an anonymous text hotline, or by emailing, calling, or writing to the NWSL HR office. 3. At the Spirit, a player reported that issues she had raised about Spirit Head Coach Richie Burke to the club's then-owner, Steve Baldwin, who players perceived to be a longtime friend of Burke's, always seemed to get back to [Burke] no matter what." A report detailing the results of the year-long investigation was published Wednesday, a little over two . In December 2013, Whisler emailed Cheryl Bailey that he had "sat with [a player] and addressed" her concerns about Dames; he then speculated, "Whatever the [player's] story is now it is window dressing likely because she wants more money." According to the report, Gotham was one of two clubs in the league that even references the NWSL Anti-Harassment policy in their policies, stating that the club will also adhere to the National Womens Soccer Leagues Anti-Harassment Policy. However, Gothams own anti-harassment policy contained a provision stating that employees who witness offensive behavior in the workplace whether directed at them or another employee are encouraged, though not required, to immediately address it with the employee whose behavior they found offensive. The report states that this provision puts an unfair burden on employees experiencing misconduct by suggesting they should confront the employee engaging in the misconduct. In a follow-up interview, the lawyer said the alterations were not made by Ms. LaHue, and did not provide any further details. The close timing between the March Investigation and the proposed player transactions creates a reasonable inference that the decisions were motivated in part by retaliation. Some players recalled that a former assistant coach, while at a club-sponsored party where he was drinking heavily, made sexually explicit remarks to players. This may encompass disputes between players, or disputes between players and club staff. After re-signing her in 2021, the club issued a public apology "to all those we have hurt, especially those within the LGBTQIA+ community, but stood by its decision, keeping Daniels on the team for the remainder of the season. B.
In her email, the player said that she wanted to "report[] her owner" for "neglecting issues he is aware of" and alleged that Dames was engaging in inappropriate relationships with players.' She added that it was possible her performance had in fact decreased because she was not comfortable with the situation. For example, players noted that Pauw wanted to exert control over "every aspect of [their] lives," including everything you were putting in your body, every exercise you were doing." Those who had known Dames for a long time acknowledged that his "behaviors ha[d] improved," but the review stressed the importance of "consider[ing] the severity of the starting point as context for growth in behavior." Wilkinson informed the Joint Investigative Team that he did not recall staff raising concerns about misconduct by Riley. Create and Enforce a Policy Discouraging the Use of NDAs in Connection with Allegations of Misconduct
The Joint Investigative Team collected documents and other materials from a variety of sources, including the NWSL, its member clubs, the NWSLPA, U.S. Soccer, and various individuals. In addition, some clubs did not historically offer anonymous reporting channels for players, which resulted in players not coming forward out of fear of retaliation. While the club discussed with Simon the possibility of a severance agreement, there is no evidence that the club sought Simon's input on these terms. Long did not indicate that she was concerned about potential retaliation against the players who spoke up at the meeting. Getting a massage." While traveling for an away game in June, Riley pressured Shim over text message to have a drink with him in his hotel room. Kurtz was not the only player to share her experiences with Courage management after the Athletic article was published. The League should request mutual cooperation and informationsharing from U.S. Soccer and other organizations to ensure the League is made aware of findings of misconduct concerning candidates seeking employment in the NWSL. The annual anti-bullying training should provide examples and explain the meaning of bullying and emotional abuse as defined in the Anti-Harassment Policy. One assistant coach described how Holly would "ream out two Black players on the team and how he described them as lazy. The assistant coach noted Holly's description was both inaccurate and racially insensitive. Farrelly noted in her email that only a few months prior, Wilkinson had asked her to represent the Thorns on an international trip, an invitation that she believed he would only extend to players with a future on the Thorns. The same is true of the Red Stars's hiring of Rory Dames as their head coach. Leadership training and coaching could provide coaches with skills to better communicate with players and other staff, motivate players, collaborate with other staff, and resolve conflicts within the team. NWSL Player Surveys
That January, the Courage made Riley their first head coach. Hendrix informed the Joint Investigative Team that she had subtly tried to prevent Holly from being alone with Simon. .
Some players also reported that the SafeSport trainings are not applicable to professional women's soccer and are geared toward youth sports, with the trainings including examples of misconduct involving children. Former NWSL President Amanda Duffy recalled hearing that Holly stepped down and believed his relationship with Pearce Rampone "may have been part of [the reason]" that he left. Pride leadership held a call with players and staff in which they were informed generally that some reports had been substantiated and some had not. A third Courage player recalled that she "had a lot of really hard coaches growing up, including her college coach, and wondered, "Do I even know if I've been abused?" Then, in the spring of 2022, came additional complaints and concerns that Clarkson would retaliate against players since he was aware of an investigation into him, which led to his suspension. Players reported that Spirit Head Coach Richie Burke used racial epithets, made jokes about race and ethnicity, and undermined activism on issues of race.
The complainant explained that one night, Riley told two players that the team would not have to do fitness drills if they kissed. Hansen's and Harrington's departures in 2020 presaged a wave of departures in 2021. 77, temporary administrative leave pending the results of an investigation. He remained with the Flash until the club was sold in 2017. During the meeting, Holly was reportedly fidgeting and "fumbling over his words." Gulati responded saying, We need to discuss this immediately. Levine recalled that Plush shared those comments with the club ownership, who according to Levine, was "understandably upset." Pauw's presence at the same apartment complex created anxiety among players. We may eventually find out what happened to LaHue and we may not. Another club's general manager noted a lack of clarity in whether the NWSL or clubs should be handling complaints from players. The Joint Investigative Team requested an interview with Holly, and he initially agreed to be interviewed. Simon told Starr that Holly would do "inappropriate things to her, even when Pearce Rampone was present but unaware. In order to ensure the integrity of reporting channels, and to mitigate concerns regarding potential retaliation, the NWSL should require that separate individuals hold key leadership and management roles within clubs. In fact, multiple players reported that they did not consider the League as an option to report misconduct and did not know of anyone at the League to whom they could report concerns. Require Certification of the Completion of Mandatory Trainings and Closely Track Compliance
Per Paulson, he could not recall during their phone conversation how the Thorns had publicly announced the termination, so he followed up with the text message, which he said was relaying the public announcement. Players described how emotional misconduct affected their performance. Dames yelled at players, targeted certain players for harsh treatment, made personal insults, and blurred personal and professional boundaries with players. Simon recalled being excited to play for Racing Louisville but also "terrified" because of Holly's past behavior toward her. Please sign in below. The Joint Investigative Team spoke to other players on the Red Stars who reported similar concerns of retaliation. In 2017, players in the League formed the NWSLPA to unite professional and amateur players on NWSL rosters who were not allocated to the League by the U.S. or Canadian national teams. Trainings should also explain that even if there are other reasons for taking an adverse action against a player or staff member, if retaliation is a motivating factor for taking an adverse action, the adverse action is retaliatory and a violation of the Anti-Harassment Policy. It did not ask the League to withhold or keep confidential any information about the investigation. It established that Riley, Shim, Farrelly, and Thorp drank at a bar one night and ended up at Riley's apartment, where alcohol was made available. The report identifies several instances in which basic criminal records checks would come back clean, but where reference checks would have revealed character issues regarding potential hires. 25, advice of legal counsel. One player reported that club staff observed Burke's mistreatment of players but did nothing, reinforcing players' view that raising concerns about Burke would be futile. Based on the findings of the external review, Whisler told Dames that he should offer his resignation or he would be terminated that day. and Players Union Report on Womens Soccer. The non
The annual training should be interactive, with opportunities for participants to ask questions and receive feedback. That news followed a report from Meg Linehan of The Athletic on Thursday that Paul Riley, who was fired by the North Carolina Courage, had inappropriate sexual relationships with players and made. Coaches also should not be in a direct supervisory position over club medical staff and should not be in a position to unilaterally terminate or otherwise impose disciplinary action on medical staff without consulting with the managers of the club. The Joint Investigative Team found, for example, that club staff in positions of power made inappropriate sexual remarks to players, mocked players' bodies, pressured players to lose unhealthy amounts of weight, crossed professional boundaries with players, and created volatile and manipulative working conditions. The public revelation of Riley's misconduct and the systemic issues it exposed prompted outcry and action. Alyse LaHue: The former Gotham FC general manager is reported to have engaged in inappropriate communications with players.