” verbal and emotional abuse Y sexual abuse they became systemic and expanding multiple teams, coaches and victims”. This is it devastating decision about the situation Highest level of women’s soccer in the United States a year later, your report was published this Monday. independent investigation led by Sally YachtsHe took office at the head of the US Department of Justice.
The document reveals the black-on-white complaints that players have been making over the years, which began to be heard in detail in various press inquiries organized by the players a year ago. protest actionsThis led to match cancellations and dismissals or resignations of 10 coaches as well as then league commissioner Lisa Baird.
In addition, “abuse in the National Women’s Football League” rooted in a deeper culture starting in women’s football youth leaguesHe normalizes verbal abuse training Y blur the boundaries between coaches and players”. And he reveals that he was conditioned and normalized to accept these behaviors from an early age. “Many players don’t see this behavior as abusive once they reach the pro level,” he complains.
Abuses, silence and concealment
The report is aforced sex model, touchingunwanted sexual approaches and sexually explicit comments” and brutal training tactics “Relentless and demeaning speeches, manipulations and manipulations of power, not performance. retaliation against whom they are trying to condemn”.
made with More than 200 interviewsincluding players, coaches, team owners and staff, as well as obstacles and the lack of cooperation of some entities and key people, the report leaves Worst possible place for league, federation and teams“Only they didn’t answer repeatedly encountering complaints from players and evidence of abuse” and also “Nor did they take basic measures to prevent it. and deal with it.”
For example, he claims: “Abusive coaches went from one team to the next, bathed in press releases. Thank them for their services and with equipment references minimized and even hid inappropriate behavior. Those in a position to fix what happened in the league and federation have remained silent,” writes Yates, accusing them of “prioritizing the possibility of exposure to coaching lawsuits over the safety and well-being of players.”
The report reminds us that until last year there was no policy against harassment, most teams did not have a human resources department or a line to report anonymously until last fall, and the league and federation had no one responsible. the safety of the players.
sexual abuse
The document prepared by Yates, three coaches it also exposes abuses hitherto not publicly condemned. Christy Holly, for example, he abused while training Racing Louisville FC sexually erin simononce in 2021 to touch as well as a video review of the mistakes he made in a match he sent obscene photos masturbated again and showed pornography before supposedly called his house to watch a football video.
Paul Riley, the coach of the Portland Thorns, also draws attention. There have been complaints in anonymous player polls since at least 2014 that Riley was “verbally abusive, sexist, and destructive”, but neither the federation nor the league took action. And when he penalized leaving the bench, nothing was done. Meleana Shim when the actress denied her sexual advances, which she denounced in 2015. The report says that Riley used her position for f.forcing at least three players into a relationship while working in another women’s league.
Third listed Rory DamesHe is accused of “forming a team”, who leads the Chicago Red Stars bench and is a youth coach. sexualized environment” involved talking to young actors about their sex lives.
Suggestions
“Research findings, heartbreaker Y deeply disturbing. Disclosed abuse unforgivable” he reacted with the statement Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone, Demonstrating “immediate action” and will “bring together to work together” football leaders from all levels nationwide SuggestionsAn investigation that includes Yates’ report, another report by a law firm commissioned by the league and players association, is an investigation that has already led to the suspension of one coach, one coach, and one assistant.
.Among the recommendations released this Monday are the teams, publicize and explain the behavior unsuitable trainers for prevent them from being recruited by other teams or requires the league to perform timely investigation charges, forcing league and team employees to participate. Also, it is recommended training players and coaches Y create positions dedicated to security the number of players at both the team, league and federation level. It is recommended that the league, whose leadership changed after the scandal, decides whether to take over. disciplinary actions against team owners or managers those who remained in their posts and those identified as a result of investigations.