Cases of harassment and abuse of players in the American Women’s Soccer League have led to severe punishments.
Four soccer coaches were banned for life in the United States on Monday. Women’s soccer league NWSL said by Paul Riley, Christy Holly, by Rory Dames and By Richie Burke of penalties and fines of the league office and clubs.
The penalties are part of the league’s extensive investigation into abuse and misconduct. The league announced in December that it had found “repeated misconduct” in most of the league’s clubs. A previous investigation had already revealed evidence of harassment and sexual abuse.
The league spent 14 months investigating NWSL player complaints and the league’s policies to prevent abuse.
Former Portland Thorns coach Riley has also featured prominently in a separate investigation by the U.S. Soccer Association. The actions of Chicago Red Stars coach Dames have also been investigated by the former US attorney general By Sally Yates in the led investigation.
Yates’ report detailed the abuse and insults by the players.
Former Racing Louisville coach Holly was fired after being accused of sexually harassing and touching a player.
Burke, who worked for the Washington Spirit, was said to have made inappropriate remarks about race and ethnicity.
Organizational level ventilation
On Monday, the NWSL handed down lesser punishments to seven other individuals. They were suspended until they take responsibility and admit their wrongdoing.
In addition, the league fined its office at least one million dollars (930,000 euros) and demanded that it correct its operating methods. Among the clubs, the Chicago Red Stars were fined 1.5 million (1.4 million euros) and the Portland Thorns were fined 1 million dollars.
League commissioner Jessica Berman promised that the league “will continue to support activities and programs that promote the health and safety of players.”
– These actions are absolutely important as we develop the league in such a way that it promotes the players’ opportunities for success and well-being on and off the field, Berman emphasized.