On Monday afternoon, the US Soccer Federation released an independent report for an investigation into past reports of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in the NWSL.
Former United States Attorney General Sally Yates has produced a 172-page report investigating an investigation into three NWSL coaches. Those coaches are Paul Riley, Rory Dames and Christy Holly. Each of these men managed an NWSL team in 2021. All three coaches faced allegations of various types of abuse, including sexual abuse, by former players.
The report brought up specific examples of misconduct by all three during their time as coaches in the NWSL or otherwise. For example, Rory Dames managed the Chicago Red Stars for a decade. Simultaneously, he founded the Eclipse Select Soccer Club youth academy. Dames turned the youth academy into a channel for young female soccer players. However, while he was coaching teenagers, different players came forward with accusations of sexual advances.
Abusive behavior in NWSL
The main takeaway from the report is that much of the problems in the NWSL have simply been swept under the rug. For example, Christy Holly, who ran Racing Louisville, was fired from her position “for cause,” according to the press release about her firing.
While most of the attention was focused on Paul Riley’s release from three NWSL teams, Holly wasn’t a name that received much attention for his release. Instead, he showed a pattern of NWSL owners sweeping issues under the rug to protect their integrity.
Now, the NWSL and the US Soccer Federation are preparing to make a series of reforms to prevent abusive behavior in the future. These reforms include changes to accountability and transparency with player safety at the forefront.
Some of the changes the NWSL plans to make are immediate. The federation plans to establish a new Participant Safety Office. Oversees US Soccer’s conduct policies and reporting mechanisms. Additionally, US Soccer plans to enact a uniform minimum standard background check for members at all levels, including youth, to meet USOPC standards.
US Soccer also announced the creation of a new player-driven Participant Safety Task Force. This convenes leaders from all levels of soccer across the country to implement the recommendations listed in Sally Yates’ report.
PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire
