In multiple investigations by the NWSL, no written report, summary, or other record of findings was prepared, and findings were not broadly shared. Olympique Lyonnais LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the OL Groupe ("OL), was set to buy the Reign ahead of the 2020 season, so Predmore updated OL throughout the hiring process. Farrelly tried to pretend these sexual encounters never occurred, but Riley would try to talk about them with her. Formation of a Players' Union . 54, substantiated, and the club had fired Holly. One club, in hiring a head coach, spoke to management at two of the coach's former clubs, individuals at the League and U.S. Soccer, players at one of the coach's former clubs, player agents, and a non-NWSL-affiliated member of the women's soccer community. He also reportedly told a male player on an opposing Major League Soccer team that Hansen could lynch the player, supposedly in an effort to ask the player to play for Hansen's team. In 2020 and 2021, the League saw a series of high-profile departures following reports of interpersonal misconduct. Numerous individuals reported that Cromwell and Greene stopped speaking to players who they believed had supported the allegations under investigation and who did not apologize to Cromwell and Greene for their participation in the March 2022 investigation. 52, Simon recalled that Holly once brought her into a suite in the Racing Louisville stadium for a film session, even though she had tried to hold it in a public place. 22, b) U.S. Soccer, as governing body and NWSL manager, failed to ban coaches and staff who resigned or were fired because of misconduct, or to apprise the League and club owners of such misconduct, which allowed these individuals to move to other clubs within the NWSL. A former OL Reign staff member who worked closely with Predmore was adamant that Benstiti had not yet been hired when Predmore was made aware of the issue. The NWSL should implement a responsible drinking policy stating that excessive consumption of alcohol at NWSL or club events, including during travel for games, is not tolerated and will result in disciplinary action. The 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy tasks the NWSL with investigating all complaints of misconduct. . Three players said that they heard Dames make racist remarks, including referring to black players as 'thugs and telling one Black player that she was acting like a gang member after a game in which [she] played aggressively." "An independent review of practices and policies at the league and club levels-including workplace policies for each club in the league, league-mandated anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy, and processes for identifying, investigating, and enforcing Alyse LaHue (Sky Blue and Gotham, Vice President, 20182019, General Manager, 2019-2021) 1. Though the club did not announce a reason for his termination, sources told The Salt Lake Tribune that Harrington "was placed on leave after players complained he was being 'verbally abusive."" The club announced that Holly was terminated "for cause," but the announcement did not specify that the "cause" was sexual misconduct. The Joint Investigative Team repeatedly sought to speak with Lines about the Flash's inquiries regarding Riley, but Lines declined to speak with the Joint Investigative Team. Second NWSL abuse report covers Clarkson, LaHue, Pauw, Riley . Tony Novo resigns as Sky Blue FC President, General Manager An investigation commissioned by the National Women's Soccer League and its players union found "widespread misconduct" directed at players dating back to the beginnings nearly a decade ago of the league. Whisler said he then proceeded with the trade based on "soccer reason[s]" after consulting with the League. In a public tweet the day of Holly's departure, the club wrote, "You were always an amazing asset to Sky Blue FC, and words cannot ever express how much we appreciate everything that you did for us." On July 16, 2021, Gotham announced that General Manager Alyse LaHue was terminated following an investigation into a complaint that she had violated NWSL policy. Former Riley, however, claimed during the 2015 Thorns Investigation that he had danced with Shim the way a father would dance at a wedding with his daughter. This reduces the risk that the concentration of power in a single individual will chill reporting of misconduct. From these conversations, the Courage said it understood that an investigation into Riley had been conducted and that Riley had exhibited poor judgment," the same language used in the Thorns's 2015 investigative report to describe Riley's conduct. In addition, players provided specific examples of Dames commenting on players' personal appearances, making racially insensitive comments, and controlling players. Develop and Implement Trainings That Reflect and Address Player and Staff Experiences The NWSL then informed the club that it was not in compliance with the policy. .82 Comments further stated that Dames made "sexist, racist, abusive, and other prejudicial remarks at players." The league retained Covington & Burling LLP, while the NWSLPA retained Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. The same HR employee who spoke to Levine about Farrelly's complaint told the Joint Investigative Team that she printed the complaint and handed it to Levine. Sunil Gulati (U.S. Soccer, President, 2006-2018) and Dan Flynn (U.S. Soccer, CEO and Secretary General, 2000-2019) IV. Investigators also call for more centralized hiring processes, including background checks with references for all prospective club owners, staff, and volunteers who might interact with players. The player reported that she later told Clarkson she found the comment offensive, and he laughed again. Dames also texted certain players "all the time, including late at night. Hendrix, who knew about the abuse, also stated she and Simon did not report to the club's HR, because they did not realize that's the person you would talk to about sexual abuse," and they did not know the HR employee well enough to feel comfortable talking to her about the abuse. The larger point is that if the environment at [the Red Stars] was different, and were perceived as one of mutual respect and professionalism, these issues would likely not be issues." By this time, Whisler knew that The Washington Post was planning to publish an expos about Dames. In February 2016, Plush expressed concern in internal emails about the fact that the Flash were planning to hire Riley. The day after the player spoke to the NWSL about her complaint, Dames texted Whisler that he was planning on waiving her. Standards of acceptable coaching behavior are evolving. The League also suspended former Utah Royals coach Craig Harrington and former Gotham FC general manager Alyse LaHue for at least two years on Monday. 6 The NWSL should consider requiring clubs to conduct exit interviews of players who depart the NWSL and to share these exit interview notes with the NWSL. In 2019, when U.S. Soccer was considering Riley for the role of USWNT head coach, Duffy and Levine worked with NWSL communications staff to prepare a draft public statement related to the complaints against Riley and the investigation into his conduct. Given the pervasive fear of retaliation in the NWSL, the absence of an anti-retaliation provision is particularly problematic. Players Lacked Clear Guidance Regarding What Constituted Misconduct Another player wrote that Lines was emotionally abusive, "belittle[d]" people, and should be terminated. The NWSL should encourage clubs to involve players in interview and hiring processes where feasible and to seek feedback from a range of players who are familiar with prospective 67, players" or "belittling players about their body image or weight" may constitute emotional misconduct. Portland Thorns In that interview, Farrelly did not discuss, and Garcia did not ask, about Riley's other misconduct towards her, which was not uncovered until later. The complainant stated that Riley made comments about a relationship between two other teammates, stating that one of the players was "not in fact gay," and that the other was a "predator." 2. The details could go too many different directions to even speculate. At first, she thought the offers were "nice" because she did not "know what the boundaries [were]." One player recalled that Riley held film sessions in a The NWSL's current processes and requirements, while improved, can be better implemented. Using language drafted in part by Levine, Baird exchanged a few emails with Shim, and during one such exchange, Shim emphasized that given the League's inaction" in response to her 2015 complaint, she was concerned for current players; she requested confirmation that "these issues will be investigated and that appropriate corrective action will be taken to ensure that abusers are not permitted to coach in the NWSL." As one player explained, an emotionally or verbally abusive coach would "yell to hurt [players'] feelings, not make them better." These allegations were largely unsupported by specific examples and appear to either be the result of personal relationships that have soured and/or a reaction to Dames's undisputed favoritism of certain players." The team, including the head coach, later engaged in conversations regarding creating a safe workplace for players. For example, coaches often must raise their voices to be heard across a field. 107, defames, or is derogatory of the other. Citing the non-disparagement provision in the agreement, the club and its executives declined to speak freely with the Joint Investigative Team about Holly until the fourth quarter of 2022, significantly delaying this aspect of the At Riley's door, she felt he expected that she would come into his room. As another example of a coach targeting a player's personal attributes, according to a staff member, Holly criticized a player by wondering aloud why he had "wasted a draft pick" on her after a stress test revealed she had a medical condition. She provided a written denial of what she suspected were the allegations against her, including a statement that she has never remarked on the appearance of a player or kept track of players' weight. Coaches and Club Staff Regarding Gothams announcement of LaHues termination, the report states that although the club did specify that she had violated League policy, it did not specify that she violated the Leagues prohibition of harassment. Two players expressed the concern that speaking out about issues of race could jeopardize a player's According to the USSF Dames Report, one player said that Dames "was constantly putting her down, diminishing her self-worth, and making it clear he had the power and control and she did not." But it takes us all: folks at the top, every staffer, even every fan. This actually isn't okay. Second, the 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy requires each club to designate two individuals to receive reports of potential violations of the 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy, at least one of whom must be an individual other than the Board of Governors representative and the head coach of the club. Players also reported that club staff, including coaches, were unhelpful to players who experienced mental health challenges. Through her attorney, to The Athletics Meg Linehan, LaHue denied the allegations that got her terminated. Shim, feeling pressured and placed on the spot, kissed with Neither the club nor U.S. Soccer followed up on indications from the investigation that suggested Riley may have had a more extensive relationship with Farrelly. Predmore also began discussing with the management of OL Groupe what action to take with regard to Benstiti. The anti-retaliation trainings should explain that ostracizing players or staff or ignoring them, denying players certain training opportunities or playing time, or showing favoritism toward certain other players or staff could be retaliatory if a motivating factor for engaging in the conduct relates to those individuals participating in a Protected Activity under the AntiHarassment Policy. Don't ever leave me." On one occasion at his house, Holly grabbed Simon's breasts while Pearce Rampone was present but had her back turned. One player compiled other players' accounts of Benstiti's speech into a formal complaint, which reported that Benstiti said, "If I see you [eat] snacks, I will kill you; told players he would be monitoring their food and snacks; and "specifically brought up Lindsey Horan and said, 'I don't care, I will do the same thing and I don't care if it's in the paper."" The NWSL completed an independent investigation, and it announced that based on witness interviews and a review of video footage, no disciplinary action would be taken against the club. U.S. Soccer The NWSL should establish rules prohibiting an individual from occupying more than one of the following positions at a club: principal owner, general manager, and head coach. 1. Summary of Inappropriate Conduct.. A. Gotham's handbook stated that the club "will also adhere to National Women's Soccer League's Anti-Harassment Policy." Whisler responded to Bailey via email, I'm not sure how you want me to respond," and Bailey told Whisler she was "not looking for any response." The report, however, acknowledges that "a majority of players expressed the view that Clarkson's treatment of players did not rise to the level of abuse or misconduct.
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