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", Among the specific incidents detailed about Clarkson was a 2022 preseason trip to Mexico. In June 2018, Levine met with Arnim Whisler and informed him that a player had raised a complaint against Dames. According to the staff member, Predmore said the Benstiti weight-shaming issue was a cultural thing and that he "worked on it." Despite reports from players that club staff and ownership were aware of Burkes mistreatment of players, the Spirit did not launch an investigation into Burke until the club learned that a Washington Post article would publicly reveal allegations that Burke verbally and emotionally abused players and made racially insensitive comments. The 29-player list Photo Copyright Chris Pedota for NewJersey.com, via Meg Linehan of The Athletic on Twitter, investigation commissioned by U.S. Soccer and led by Sally Yates, the former U.S. attorney general, put out a statement via Meg Linehan on Twitter stating, Yazmeen Ryan is at Gotham FC for the long haul, Why Naomi Girma could be the USWNTs most important player at the World Cup, Pride swap white shorts for black as global push continues for player welfare, Waived from Gotham FC, Kelly Ann Livingstone sees opportunity with Fortuna Hjrring, 2023 NWSL schedule released: Actually, theres a lot to like, Sinead Farrelly joins Gotham FC preseason roster as Non-Roster Invitee, Joint investigation finds widespread, ongoing misconduct in NWSL, calls for policy reforms, The definitive Christy Holly timeline in the NWSL and U.S. Soccer, USWNT wrestling with identity ahead of World Cup, USWNT 2, Brazil 1: On fullback positioning and the double-edge sword of transitions, Several players drop out of French national team ahead of the World Cup, Seriously, a fall-to-spring schedule for the NWSL? Burke also discouraged player activism for racial equity. Shim said that particularly after that night, she was scared and feared Riley could physically try to restrain her or try to have sex with her. Numerous individuals relayed that as a result, Cromwell and Greene stopped speaking to players who they believed had participated in the March Investigation and who did not show contrition in the aftermath. Alyse LaHue on Twitter: "We have an opportunity & ability to be leaders in this space in the way that @WNBA players & league have. U.S. Soccer failed to address allegations against Riley and Dames as early as 2014, when it received comments in NWSL player surveys stating that Riley and Dames were verbally and emotionally abusive. Gulati also stated that U.S. Soccer relied on the League and the clubs to develop their own policies regarding misconduct, but he did not recall ever conveying to the clubs that they were responsible for setting up these policies. Even in Vancouver, Riley pushed Shim to stay the night with him. Representatives appointed by each of the 12 NWSL club owners comprise the League's Board of Governors, which acts on behalf of the League. Former NWSL commissioner Jeff Plush responded to the joint investigators after refusing to speak with Yates & Co., though the report indicates that Plush only provided written responses. Covington and Weil (collectively, the "Joint Investigative Team) reviewed all reports indicating that a person in a position of power in the NWSL or one of its member clubs engaged in or facilitated inappropriate conduct towards NWSL players, including discrimination, harassment, sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, and retaliation related to such reports. Provide Mandatory Annual Anti-Harassment Training Reis acknowledged encouraging players to speak with investigators, but she denied telling them what to say. As early as June 2021, players reported that Holly had shouted at and personally attacked" players who had gone to him for one-on-one feedback. Another club staff member felt that Holly lost trust in the locker room" because of his romantic relationship. manipulate them."" NWSL investigation discovers 'widespread misconduct' in 'vast majority The NWSL should confirm that each club has designated such individuals and that those individuals are aware of their obligation to report any complaints or reports of violations of the Anti-Harassment Policy to the NWSL HR Office or the NWSL General Counsel within 24 hours of receiving the report. Riley has previously denied the allegations against him. Another player recalled other players informing her this coach was telling people that she needed to lose weight, but he never discussed it with her directly. Cromwell's and Greene's conduct fostered a fear of retaliation among certain players and staff at the Pride. Following the publication of the Athletic article in 2021, Paulson stated in Golub's presence that "Mike [Golub] spent a lot of time on the phone w/Aaran Lines" when the Flash were considering hiring Riley. On today's episode of the Dynamic Leaders Podcast, Colin is joined by Alyse LaHue. The Joint Investigative Team further found that Goalkeeper Coach Aline Reis did not fully cooperate with the investigation, in violation of NWSL policy, including by pressuring players to share favorable information with investigators. So did the message of an adult brand backing a sport that has long marketed first to kids and families. The prospective owner asked how "pervasive" the problem was and wrote that he need[ed] to know that NWSL is protecting these girls and is vigilant about preventing such abuses of power in the future." Allowing Riley to continue coaching in the NWSL endangered NWSL players. Baird, working from language drafted by Levine, ultimately replied that Shim's 2015 complaint had been investigated to conclusion." Women's Soccer Bans Ex-Coaches and Fines Teams After Misconduct Report Harrington denied each of these reports, but the Joint Investigative Team did not find his denials to be credible when viewed against the accounts of multiple other witnesses. Through counsel, the Thorns emailed Levine a copy of the report with its attachments. Cromwell also sought to exclude the players she believed to have been involved in the March Investigation from her efforts to improve the locker room culture. The individual incidents and recurrent practices detailed in this Report reflect the experiences of players, not only in isolated moments but also more broadly, as women playing soccer in a league historically owned and run by men. 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. In his interview with the Joint Investigative Team, Clarkson exhibited a lack of candor. 8 Development of an Anti-Harassment Policy. After she told Holly not to touch her, Simon felt Holly was harsher to her on the field: yelling at her frequently, taking her out of games regardless of her performance, and refusing to shake her hand when she came off the field, but shaking other players' hands. The staff member said that a player told her that the team felt "if they ever said anything [negative about Dames], at the end of the season they would just get traded off." The relationship also created problems among the players. The Joint Investigative Team then investigated those reports or, in limited instances, referred the reports to an appropriate entity, including U.S. Soccer, the League, and individual clubs, for investigation. One player, describing Riley's fixation with players' weight, stated that he was "100% the most controlling person I've ever met. Another player recalled that he deployed a strategy of "breaking down [a player's] confidence, saying she doesn't look fit," and then when he needed her, "building her confidence back up and controlling her in that way." Finally, in certain instances where players reported concerns publicly, including on social media or in statements to the press, or have otherwise authorized the Joint Investigative Team to use their names, this Report identifies those players where appropriate. e) Interviews Conducted On July 2, 2021, OL Reign announced that Head Coach Farid Benstiti had resigned. Similarly, the players were left in the dark about the findings of the investigation. Finally, NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke said she warned Baird in July 2021 that Baird would receive a complaint against Riley and that Baird should take the complaint seriously. From her perspective, the concerns about Dames were not an emergency situation because the players identified as Dames's primary targets were no longer with the team" and the issues involved "older conduct." She also recalled that when the club left the player unprotected in an expansion draft, the staff member "went berserk" and "th[rew] other players under the bus." The NWSL should implement a responsible drinking policy stating that excessive consumption of alcohol at NWSL or club events, including during travel for games, is not tolerated and will result in disciplinary action. Women's Soccer Bans Ex-Coaches and Fines Teams After Misconduct Report "Some types of misconduct against players, including certain instances of sexual abuse and manipulation, have already been widely reported. The same player noted that when players considered raising concerns, they wondered, "Are we going to ruin something? Racing Louisville investigated but did not substantiate a relationship between Holly and the staff member. Coordinate with Clubs and U.S. Soccer to Improve and Centralize Hiring Practices On at least two occasions when Riley was recruited by the Flash and later when he was recruited by the Courage-the Thorns, U.S. Soccer, and the NWSL were not transparent with the recruiting club about the allegations and findings of misconduct against Riley in 2015. Kurtz came forward to the Courage and reported this misconduct. One member of the NWSL community criticized the SafeSport trainings as not being interactive and consisting of lectures and short quizzes that participants are not required to pass before proceeding with the training. Players and Thorns staff described the assistants as Riley's "yes-men" and recalled that they would not speak against Riley. Like many institutions, the League has been influenced by sexism, racism, homophobia, and other biases. coach, and Alyse LaHue, the former general manager of Gotham F.C., each received two-year suspensions from the league. Multiple witnesses reported that coaches continued their weight-shaming behavior even after being warned by players and other staff that such behavior was harmful. 69, that would allow us to travel home." A member of club staff told us the decision was based on a "business perspective," but could not "ascribe any personal feelings" to the decision. For instance, two players told the investigator they had left the Red Stars in part because of Dames's abuse. This team member said she had not experienced a similar situation in a professional environment. Sky Blue FC aims to leave Rutgers' Yurcak Field after 2019 NWSL season O'Connor met with the players, who shared concerns about how the staff was handling players' medical issues as well as concerns about Holly's treatment of players. Players reported to the Joint Investigative Team multiple instances in which club staff, coaches, or club leadership retaliated against players for reporting misconduct or for participating in an investigation into misconduct. Gotham FC general manager Alyse LaHue was fired by the team earlier this month on July 9, the club announced Friday. The same player emphasized that "continuous commitment to anti-racism is important" and the burden should not be on Black players to educate others. Benstiti was the head coach of PSG from 2012 to 2016. Player Reports of Misconduct During the USSF Dames Investigation N.W.S.L. Bans Ex-Coaches and Fines Teams After Misconduct Report - The 3. Malik texted Gulati that he "appreciate[d]" the "confidential advice to Anson." A. To be eligible for future employment in the NWSL, Cromwell and Greene must participate in mandatory training regarding retaliation, discrimination, harassment, and bullying, and must participate in mandatory executive coaching. Third, the Joint Investigative Team found that the Thorns, the NWSL, and U.S. Soccer failed on numerous occasions to fully and clearly communicate the allegations and findings against Riley to other NWSL clubs that subsequently hired Riley. This behavior contrasted with other periods during which he would ignore Shim. In response to the complaint made directly to the League, Baird spoke with Malik and Riley to relay that Riley should not be speaking to players about their weight; rather, weight and fitness issues should be handled by a nutritionist. The NWSL should contact an applicant's former employers and, where feasible, former colleagues. Since its inception, the NWSL and clubs have failed to provide clear guidance to players regarding what constitutes misconduct. 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. 1. Players also suggested that Whisler perpetuated and allowed Dames's behavior because Whisler was "cheap" and Dames coached on a reduced salary. When asked about this, the lawyer who led the investigation for U.S. Soccer said the issue of whether to take intermediary action "was not discussed with [her]." Her dismissal was based on the results of an NWSL investigation into a . We have so much work to do." Alyse LaHue @alahue Follow @alahue The Joint Investigative Team hopes that this Report will inform and contribute to the continued change necessary to ensure that players in the League are safe, secure, and empowered. In May or June 2020, shortly after the murder of George Floyd, Burke made a comment-when players were kneeling for a photo to show solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement-about how it would look if someone took a photo while he knelt on a practice dummy and "flipped off" the camera. She also played soccer through college at St. Ambrose U Players were "aware that this league could go under. In addition, Shim's complaint identified Farrelly as a target of Riley's misconduct, but Farrelly was not treated as a potential target of misconduct; her interview was brief and focused on Shim's allegations and on whether Farrelly had told anyone about them. Until 2022, the League also had no free agency for any players, meaning a single club retained the rights to the player even if the player was not under contract. Following the meeting in which Clarkson requested player apologies, at players' prompting, a Black club staff member led a presentation discussing racial injustice at another club meeting. The two most senior executives in the League's front office, Commissioner Lisa Baird and General Counsel Lisa Levine, resigned. Gotham's handbook stated that the club "will also adhere to National Women's Soccer League's Anti-Harassment Policy." Jeff Plush (NWSL, Commissioner, 2014-2017) Players recounted numerous instances in which club staff made inappropriate sexual and objectifying comments. Many of the club anti-harassment policies provided to the Joint Investigative Team were inconsistent with the NWSL's Anti-Harassment Policy, including by prohibiting a narrower scope of conduct. D. On August 14, 2019, outside counsel for U.S. Soccer emailed Wahlke stating Riley "was having a relationship with a Portland player. Players recalled coaches monitoring the snacks and meals that players ate, forbidding players from eating things like fruit, peanut butter pretzels, and baked chips, and hiding food from players to prevent them from eating, even when the food was provided by the team. The NWSL should emphasize that this program is not a substitute for reporting channels provided in the Anti-Harassment Policy and should not encourage players or staff to address potential misconduct under the Anti-Harassment Policy through the Alternative Complaint Resolution program. 57, older, all of his friends would want to sleep over at her house-which the player understood as an insinuation about her attractiveness. Consistent with the CBA, the NWSL should require coaches to adhere to medical staff's decisions for a player to train, play, or return to play. Although the Thorns conducted an investigation in 2015 that led to Riley's termination, the Thorns publicly announced only that Riley was not being retained, with no explanation as to why. Inquiry finds widespread misconduct in women's pro soccer As discussed above, in early 2022, counsel for the Pride conducted an investigation into reports of inappropriate conduct by Head Coach Amanda Cromwell and Assistant Coach Sam Greene. Inappropriate Intimate and Sexual Interactions with Players It also could dissuade employees from reporting misconduct to club or NWSL HR because employees may instead Simon was afraid to tell anyone of Holly's abuse because she was scared for her physical safety if Holly found out she had reported him. After players spoke to club management about these concerns, management scheduled a joint meeting with both players and coaching staff, including Holly. The Joint Investigative Team requested an interview of the Current owners, and Angie Long sat for an interview. Riley grew bolder in making sexual advances over time, and Farrelly reported to The Athletic and to the Joint Investigative Team that they had sexual intercourse after Riley went out drinking with the team following a loss at an away game. In addition, The attitude that women's sports are not professional, or not as valued as men's sports, gave players the impression that they were less valued and that their concerns would not be addressed. Although Clarkson advocated for the development of a mental health program at the Dash, he also demonstrated insensitivity towards players' mental health in his interactions with them. b) Failures of Background Checks Following these reports and upon learning that Clarkson had been made aware that he was under investigation, the Joint Investigative Team recommended in April 2022 that Clarkson be placed on temporary suspension pending investigation. In the USSF Dames Report, a player described Dames calling a player trailer trash and insulting her educational background when she made a mistake. If [we have] a concern, we're going to sit down and try to find a solution. He also said, If you're trying to build trust, which is what we're trying to do, it's hard to build trust if someone's saying to you, '[I] can't tell you where it's coming from.' The only thing I can say for sure is that the issue stems from a complaint filed with the league under its anti-harassment policy. Leading up to this meeting, Simon had been nervous, because she had been able to avoid one-on-one meetings with Holly until then. An additional reputational check-which would involve additional research into the candidate, including interviews with references and other contacts-is not required, but can be conducted at the club's election. For example, as reported in The Washington Post, Dames criticized one player's communication skills by screaming at her, "If you can't even talk on the field, what kind of mother are you?" coach, and Alyse LaHue, the former general manager of Gotham F.C., each received two-year suspensions from the league. The Spirit suspended Burke pending an investigation initiated shortly after the Washington Post article was published, and the club fired him on September 28, 2021, following the completion of that investigation. In May 2018, U.S. Soccer's investigator spoke to Press regarding her complaint that Dames "verbally and emotionally abuse[d] . Based on the evidence obtained during this investigation, the Joint Investigative Team makes the following observations and findings. Gulati asked the group to meet the next day to discuss the matter. Over time, players' lack of trust in Holly led to a divide between Holly, Pearce Rampone, and the majority of the team. Work on the USSF Dames Investigation ended in September 2019, and the investigator's draft report was sent to Wahlke, but the investigation was never formally concluded. Plush wrote that he was "very careful in describing the situation" with Riley because he had been informed by counsel to U.S. Soccer that he could not share the Thorns's investigative report or its details. For example, in 2021 following an NWSL game in Houston, Sarah Gorden, a Black player, posted on social media that her boyfriend, who went to see her in the stands after the game, was followed by stadium security and was told he would be arrested if he came close. Although Racing Louisville spoke to both Temares and Smoot about Holly, both Temares and Smoot only recalled discussing that Holly's departure related to his alleged relationship with Pearce Rampone. Players at seven clubs (Racing Louisville, Gotham/Sky Blue, the Dash, the Courage, the Thorns, the Spirit, and the Red Stars) reported to the Joint Investigative Team that they were unaware of whether their clubs had HR personnel or that they otherwise did not know to whom they could report concerns at their clubs. The players, however, reported to the Joint Investigative Team that they did experience retaliation after this meeting. Williams reported that he had a good relationship with this player during the season. Some clubs have strictly enforced a non-fraternization policy. 32, and that for this reason, Riley would be disqualified from consideration. Kurtz was not the only player to share her experiences with Courage management after the Athletic article was published. 9, instead, the Joint Investigative Team conducted a holistic assessment in determining which individuals to name in this Report. When Gothams statement leaned on the league, a further inquiry returned this statement: Following a complaint, the league conducted an investigation and shared the findings of that investigation with Gotham FC. The League should consider stronger restrictions on the use of such agreements in matters involving sexual misconduct or physical abuse. The message internalized by these players was that the institutions of which they were a part were at constant risk of failure and that by rocking the boat, they could single-handedly cause that failure. Nearly three weeks after my original reporting, during which Gotham ignored more than a half dozen requests for comment via various platforms, the club announced the end of the line with LaHue in a tersely worded statement that did not even acknowledge her by her full name, and which mostly passed the buck to the league office. One player described feeling anxious and upset after a coach was "almost screaming on top of [her], pointing his finger." Chicago Red Stars Holly offered Simon another contract in 2017, which she accepted. In November 2021, the NWSL imposed requirements that prospective general managers, coaches, and presidents of clubs undergo background checks before being hired. Publicly, however, the club merely announced that it would not retain Riley for a third season, and then-Thorns General Manager and President of Soccer Gavin Wilkinson said, on behalf of the club, "I would like to thank Paul for his services to the club these past two seasons." The announcement did not specify that the cause was sexual misconduct. Burke told the Joint Investigative Team that he was a demanding" coach and acknowledged that he could be "profane" at times, but he adamantly denied that his behavior was abusive toward players. In the 2020 survey, a player for the Spirit wrote that Burke was "unprofessional in his communication with certain players, that he play[ed] major psychological games with certain players, and that he used demeaning language." WNBA, NWSL are leagues on the rise - New York Daily News Holly also verbally abused players and retaliated against those who raised complaints about him. As Equalizer has reported, the highly-anticipated report contained detailed findings of an investigation into numerous allegations of misconduct across the league. Predmore said he did not know about Benstiti's weight-shaming before deciding to hire Benstiti and remarked that "by the time it came out[,] Farid had signed his contract." Can the USWNT's World Cup title push the NWSL to a long-awaited During a break for West Ham in the summer of 2019, Simon returned home to New Jersey, where Holly lived about 20 minutes from her home. According to Malik, then-U.S. Soccer Vice President (now-President) Cone contacted him to ask if he knew of any concerns with Riley during Riley's time at the Courage. The player survey changed significantly in 2020. In December 2012, the Red Stars officially hired Dames as its first head coach in the newly-formed NWSL. Most players enter the League through a draft, and player contracts are not required to be guaranteed. It did not ask the League to withhold or keep confidential any information about the investigation. Paulson acknowledged in the letter that the club had made an "opaque" public announcement regarding Riley's termination, and he outlined new and ongoing initiatives for improvement. 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." Within a few months, investors had spent what was originally expected to sustain the league for three to five years. [Dan Lauletta] Developing story out of Gotham FC today - reddit The supporters group claimed that the banner was removed because it was a political statement. Because the Joint Investigative Team was not tasked with imposing discipline on individuals accused of misconduct, it expresses no opinion on whether it would be appropriate to impose discipline for conduct that would have violated a policy that did not exist when that conduct occurred. Players reported the coaching staff physically turned their backs on the player while she was experiencing a panic attack and did not follow up with this player afterward to ask how she was doing. A staff member recalled that during the 2020 season, a player made overnight oats for breakfast, and Benstiti told her in front of other players, "You don't need those oats. According to this player, in her experience, the film sessions were professional rather than social; players would go to Riley's hotel room to review film, and then leave. Riley targeted Shim in other ways as well. In December 2021, the Joint Investigative Team received a complaint about Clarkson and began an investigation. Though the club did not provide a reason for Benstiti's resignation at the time, The Washington Post reported later that year that Benstiti had made inappropriate comments to players regarding their fitness and nutrition." The Report concludes with systemic recommendations for the NWSL and its member clubs. Shim also forwarded the complaint to then-NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush. The Joint Investigative Team found multiple instances of romantic relationships between players and staff members in violation of this policy. 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. The 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy clarifies that it applies to all "NWSL Personnel," which includes "certain individuals and entities not employed by NWSL," including team owners, team personnel, and team medical staff. Craig Harrington, the former Utah Royal F.C. 5. Pauw's presence at the same apartment complex created anxiety among players. Club leaders should have a plan to model and implement their commitment to player well-being, and the NWSL should vigilantly guard against leadership behavior that may discourage reporting or suggest disregard for player safety. The 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy requires clubs to promptly report all reports of misconduct to the League. Players also expressed concerns that Williams, whom they believed had engaged in retaliation towards players who complained about him, was moved into a position where he was involved in decisions on player trades and other transactions; Williams acknowledged being involved in player transaction decisions during this time, but said the general manager finalized such decisions.

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