The investigation has been carried out by former US Attorney General Sally Yates and the law firm King & Spalding. Together they have uncovered cases of what is referred to as emotional abuse and inappropriate sexual behaviour. In the 172-page report, reference is made to a pattern of “sexually charged comments, unwanted sexual advances and touching and forced sexual intercourse.” Individual interviews with more than 200 players in the American women’s league NWSL, several of them members of the American national team, form the basis of the findings that have now been presented. PRESIDENT: Cindy Parlow Cone is shocked by the findings. Photo: TIM NWACHUKWU / AFP “Our investigations have revealed a league where abuse and inappropriate behavior – verbal and emotional abuse and inappropriate sexual behavior – was done systematically, and this affects various clubs, coaches and victims,” writes Yates in the report’s summary. “Abuse in the NWSL is rooted in a deeper culture in women’s soccer that normalizes verbally abusive coaching and blurs the lines between coaches and players,” it added. TWEET: Football president Cindy Parlow Cone thanks the players who have told their stories. Photo: Screenshot from Twitter / @cone_cindy Thanking the players Furthermore, Yates points out that the players who have spoken and opened up to the investigative team have shown great courage. She writes that it is now time for “the institutions that have failed them” to listen to the players and start the reform work they deserve. The investigations surrounding the American women’s league started with the well-reputed media The Athletic writing in 2021 that a coach had been guilty of inappropriate behavior and sexual offenses against players. According to The Athletic, top management in the American Football Association should have been made aware of the situation, without taking action. “The verbal and emotional abuse the players describe in the NWSL is not just ‘tough’ coaching,” Yates writes in the report, which became known on Monday. It further concludes that teams, league management and the U.S. Soccer Federation “repeatedly failed to respond when confronted with player reports and evidence of abuse.” It allegedly made it possible for coaches who had been guilty of inappropriate behavior to take up new coaching jobs at other clubs. Instead of addressing the problems, those responsible remained silent, writes Yates. The football president was shaken The coaches in question should not have been confronted with the accusations and the evidence that was available. U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone, who has held the top job since 2020, says steps have already been taken to ensure that the episodes uncovered do not repeat themselves. – This investigation’s findings are heartbreaking and deeply disturbing. The abuse described is unforgivable and has no place on any track, in any training facility or in any workplace, says Cone. – The American Football Association is dedicated to doing everything in our power to ensure that all players – at all levels – have a safe and respectful place where they can learn, grow and compete, she continues. The measures that have been implemented include, among other things, a web-based channel where unwanted episodes can be reported. In addition, among other things, the routines surrounding the background check of relevant coaches are being tightened. PROFILE: Alex Morgan stated last year that she had zero confidence in the NWSL. Photo: Ed Zurga / AFP Star players against the league Already last year, the American national team star and San Diego Wave player, Alex Morgan, went to the media and said frankly that there is no trust between the NWSL and players after the many revelations. – There are many things that need to change, and we need to start rebuilding that trust. But at this point, that trust is not there yet, she told Goal. Former national team player Heather O’Reilley has previously stated that women’s soccer in the USA swept a number of unpleasant things under the rug, simply because they want the league to succeed. – You don’t have many other opportunities in the USA where you can be professional footballers, so you find yourself in it, said O’Reilley to the BBC. Lisa Baird, the former president of the NWSL, had to resign in October last year after strong dissatisfaction with the league’s handling of the abuse cases.
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Football players exposed to systematic abuse and abuse – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
