Investigations indicate that emotional abuse and sexual harassment are systematic in the Women’s Soccer League.
USA Soccer President Cindy Barlow called the investigation “extremely heartbreaking and disturbing” and promised action.
The independent investigation, commissioned by the NFL, was conducted in the wake of the scandals last season in the MLS Women’s Soccer League.
That’s when Snead Farrelly and Manna Shim, two former NBA players, made allegations of sexual harassment and coercion earlier in their careers under coach Paul Riley.
Riley denied the allegations, but his club, North Carolina Brave, was fired, and league commissioner Lisa Bird resigned.
But problems were rife and before the season ended, five out of ten coaches in the NFL had resigned or were fired after allegations.
“rooted”
An independent investigation now indicates that emotional abuse and sexual harassment are systemic and affect many teams, players and coaches.
“Abuse in the NFL is deeply rooted in a youth league culture that normalizes verbal abuse by coaches and blurs the lines between coach and player,” wrote former US attorney general Sally Q. Yates.
More than 200 people were interviewed in the survey and many people spoke of abuse.
“unforgivable”
US Soccer President Cindy Barlow-Cohn said in a statement:
“The abuse described is unforgivable and has no place in any field. US Soccer is committed to doing everything we can to ensure that all players – at all levels – have a safe and respectful place to learn, grow and compete.
The report makes a number of recommendations to prioritize players’ health and safety. Among other things, all clubs must report abuse from coaches to the league and the federation so that they cannot continue to abuse them at other clubs.