Abuses in American women’s football have their first consequences

The abuse and improper handling of women footballers in the NWSL, which was denounced in an investigative report, had initial consequences for employees. The Portland Thorns announced yesterday that owner Merritt Paulson and managers Gavin Wilkinson and Mike Golub are staying away from any team decisions, effective immediately, pending the conclusion of the league’s investigation.

Ahead of the USA’s international match against England at Wembley, former national team player Becky Sauerbrunn demanded that no one be allowed to hold the position he was involved in allowing coaches to continue working in the league despite well-known allegations.

The players are very angry

“It is my opinion that every owner, chief executive and official of the US Soccer Federation who has repeatedly failed players and failed to protect us, who hid behind paragraphs and did not fully cooperate with this investigation, should go,” he said. The captain is in London. “The players are not doing a good job,” she said. “We are terrified, sad, frustrated, exhausted and very, very angry.”

Former US Attorney Sally Q-Yates wrote in her investigative report published Monday that abuses in the women’s professional league were “deeply rooted” – starting with the youth leagues.

The investigation was launched after two former players, Sinead Farrelly and Manna Shim, made allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Carolina Corridge coach Paul Riley. Riley had previously worked at the Portland Thorns, but the collaboration there ended after only a year without giving any reason.