Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness , Value
Diane Volpe
3 years ago
A recent LAtimes.com news story reports that female professional soccer players in the United States have been systemically subjected to widespread and pervasive sexual abuse, and U.S. Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) failed to stop the harassment and abuse. The report was produced by former acting Attorney General Sally Q. Yates. Yates’ […]
U.S. Soccer Sexual Abuse
A recent LAtimes.com news story reports that female professional soccer players in the United States have been systemically subjected to widespread and pervasive sexual abuse, and U.S. Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) failed to stop the harassment and abuse. The report was produced by former acting Attorney General Sally Q. Yates. Yates’ report, published by U.S. Soccer, accuses some of the top professional soccer coaches of numerous sexual misconduct charges, and those coached repeatedly dodged disciplinary actions. Yates’ report also states that these same coaches engaged in abusive coaching techniques, including “relentless, degrading tirades” and “retaliation against those who attempted to come forward.”
The United States Soccer Federation commissioned the investigative study after it received reports from several players of abuse, sexual harassment, improper conduct, and homophobic remarks they experienced. NPR.org reported “similar” charges, and the news compelled the removal or immediate resignation of Commissioner Lisa Baird, five of the league’s ten coaches, and General Counsel Lisa Levine.
The news report also stated that Yates’ investigation found that the horrific assertions by the players had merit. The report noted that the investigation revealed that the women’s soccer league was full of misconduct and abuse, including sexual misconduct, verbal vitriol, and severe emotional abuse. The report also found that this abuse was systemic and involved several teams, coaches, and victims. Yates’ report included more than 300 pages of statements, documents, and specific happenings of coach misconduct that occurred so often that the problem was equated to an “open secret.”
The final report provided concrete recommendations to both USSF and NWSL to correct some of the problems, including changes to the federation’s coach licensing system, expanded transparency in reporting misconduct, and hiring numerous player safety officers at the league and federation levels.
According to several news sources and Yates’ report, the systemic misconduct and abuse weren’t limited to the NWSL. Misconduct and abuse in the NWSL appear to be grounded in a more profound culture in women’s soccer and begin in youth leagues that normalize verbally abusive coaching.
The report’s executive summary stated that several soccer players reported the misconduct to team organizations, the league, and U.S. Soccer, but those accusations were mostly ignored.
A few of the most severe and specific complaints published in the report involved one former coach who allegedly sent a player sexually explicit photos, asking the player to come to his house to watch some game film. However, the former coach showed her pornography and then masturbated in front of her. The victim also reported that the coach touched her breasts and genitals during the game film session. That former coach was investigated and admitted to having a past sexual relationship with a different NWSL player, and he admitted to sending sexual images to the victim. He denied that there was sexual misconduct. Although the coach admitted to some misconduct, he was allowed to continue coaching.
Another case in the report focused on sexual misconduct and verbal abuse allegations against two other coaches. The report did not contain the responses from the two coaches.
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone publicized the new reforms. She stated that the federation would immediately publish soccer-related records from SafeSport’s database of coaches and officials who were sanctioned or investigated for misconduct, create an office of participant safety, and require minimum standards for background checks. Cone stated that the federation would also create a player safety task force that the athletes would lead. She also stated that she was heartbroken by the details in the report. She believes the abuse is inexcusable and has no place on or off the soccer field.
Yates’ report was based on over 200 interviews, including players, team owners, coaches, and front-office staff from eleven current and former soccer teams. The report remarked that some NWSL teams would not completely cooperate with Yates’ investigation. The report claims that some teams interfered with the investigators’ access to pertinent witnesses and attempted to impede their use of essential documents. Some clubs would not produce documents or allow certain witnesses, including former employees, to answer relevant questions regarding past coaches.
Did you or a loved one sustain harmful sexual abuse? Parker Waichman LLP helps those who have sustained sexual abuse obtain full monetary compensation. Trust your case with our product injury lawsuit lawyers. For a free consultation, contact our law firm today by using our live chat or calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).