The Joint Investigative Team asked Harrington for his cell phone records, with call and text details, for the month in question. The NWSL's predecessor leagues-the Women's United Soccer Association ("WUSA") and Women's Professional Soccer ("WPS")-both buckled under financial pressures. It was mean." Create and Enforce a Policy Discouraging the Use of NDAs in Connection with Allegations of Misconduct Holly also crossed boundaries with other players by making unwanted sexual advances and overt sexual remarks to them. Other players reported instances of Dames texting players late at night, commenting on players' appearances, and "routinely" taking "some of his favorites out to dinner." In one instance, the report dismissed concerns about Dames's racist comments as "not supported by recent examples," finding that "the three examples of alleged inappropriate remarks, if they were made, were insensitive and perhaps thoughtless, but not made with any apparent intent." Burke used the N-word in recounting a story to a Black player, made jokes and racially insensitive remarks about Black Lives Matter, and used antisemitic language in comments to the team. Simon first met Holly in 2016. Wilkinson said that he informed Riley this could not occur again, and he separately told Thorns staff members that they could not go out drinking with players. pic.twitter.com/hlBpaiwkaP, NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) July 16, 2021. The staff member and player then moved to a second club, where they continued their relationship. It was not until June 2021, when Benstiti gave a speech in which he criticized players' diets, that the club took action. She remembered that Holly "verbally attacked players, and his behavior was "just different" than it had been in 2016. Predmore said he did not know about Benstiti's weight-shaming before deciding to hire Benstiti and remarked that "by the time it came out[,] Farid had signed his contract." The latest investigation ("the joint investigation") acknowledges and reiterates the Yates report's detailing of misconduct by former Portland Thorns, Western New York Flash and North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley; former Washington Spirit coach Richie Burke; and former Sky Blue FC and Racing Louisville coach Christy Holly. 1. Courage leadership was made aware of Riley's conduct toward Kurtz, who also reported her experiences directly to then-NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird in a group meeting last year. In the almost year and half period from May 2018 to September 2019, the investigator spoke to only nine players. After several months, the staff member notified the club of the romantic relationship with the player and resigned. Ratings: Fofana 8/10 as Chelsea pick up first league win in six, Ten Hag must learn from Mourinho to ensure Man United's Carabao Cup win is just the start, Raul and Valverde are keeping Madrid prodigy Alvaro's feet on the ground, Man United must make every penny count to beat FFP and continue recovery, LIVE Transfer Talk: Bayern still keen on Kane despite new Choupo-Moting contract. Already a member? 108, 1. Riley made sexual comments towards Kurtz, including giving her detailed accounts of his sex life on a number of occasions in what appeared to be an attempt to invite her to do the same in return; that conduct waned only when Kurtz was in a serious relationship. The 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy expands the scope of protections to prohibit discrimination based on any protected characteristic and to more explicitly prohibit retaliation. In March 2021, days after Baird received a letter from 240 NWSL players urging the NWSL to adopt an anti-harassment policy, Shim emailed Baird indicating that she believed the League had failed to take any action to protect players in response" to her 2015 complaint about Riley. The Thorns's outside counsel told U.S. Since 2019, some clubs have offered their own anti-harassment trainings, but those trainings have not been approved by the NWSL, and one club's HR staff reported that the NWSL had not been helpful in developing trainings. Farrelly emailed Wilkinson expressing discontent and concern that she was being traded so soon after the investigation into Riley's conduct. 104, B. There should be specific trainings tailored to club staff, including coaches, and players. Women's soccer in the United States has a long history of relationships between players and staff. Shim had told a teammate, Alex Morgan, about some of Riley's conduct and had consulted Morgan regarding reporting. to return to the club. The NWSL should consider whether players and staff would benefit from the League establishing guidelines on appropriate socializing between players and individuals with supervisory authority over players, including head coaches. An individual affiliated with the USWNTPA described former U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati as a puppeteer overseeing the League and recalled Gulati exerting authority over proposed player trades. The teammate told her to put her phone away and not show the message to anybody. Holly then declined to speak to the Joint Investigative Team. Following WUSA's collapse in 2003, the United States was without a professional women's soccer league until WPS began play in March 2009. These threats, or even the perceived risk of waiver for raising concerns or expressing disagreement with clubs and coaches, signaled to players that they were dispensable. Following public reporting about Hansen's statements, the NWSL conducted an investigation and pushed Hansen to sell the club. This training should encompass conduct and scenarios that players, staff, and volunteers at professional clubs could potentially encounter. Off the field, Dames blurred personal and professional boundaries. g) Mishandling of Rory Dames's Misconduct by U.S. Soccer, the NWSL, and the Chicago Red Stars alyse lahue relationship - salgadosdesucesso.online 7. the Joint Investigative Team sent each club a document collection questionnaire to gather information about its organization, structure, and mechanisms for reporting complaints. Several of these players described Clarkson as fair, but tough on players based on their soccer performance and potential. Through her attorney, to The Athletics Meg Linehan, LaHue denied the allegations that got her terminated. Witnesses reported during the 2020 NWSL investigation that Hansen described individuals as "colored" or "oriental" and used descriptors and references based on racial stereotypes, including calling Black players on an opposing team "African gazelles." At the club level, U.S. Soccer's failure to share its findings allowed Whisler to take the position that U.S. Soccer essentially had cleared Dames of wrongdoing and that no action was required by the Red Stars. One former player differentiated between raised voices in different locations: the player opined, "If you're working in an office cubicle, no one will scream at you for your terrible touch, but that might be needed on the field." 3. Clubs did not consistently prohibit player-staff relationships, which created confusion about whether such relationships were permissible. Whisler and Dames's text conversations reflect this benefit. The 2021 and 2022 Anti-Harassment Policies expressly prohibit retaliation, but retaliation occurred both before and after implementation of the 2021 Anti-Harassment Policy. In one instance, players said they felt confined to their hotel on their day off because Dames told them that each player would have to meet with him "within five minutes of him calling them or they would be cut from the team, but did not give them advance notice of the meeting times. For example, in 2018, Horan wrote an op-ed about her time at PSG and stated what she "went through was almost like abuse emotionally and mentally," and "extremely intense." This may require removing some questions that were included in prior player surveys that could be used to identify responding players, including questions about previous teams, pay, and nationality. That same day, NWSL General Counsel Lisa Levine also resigned. Each individual was invited to speak with the Joint Investigative Team. The 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy prohibits harassment, including harassment on the basis of race. She said that she chose to come forward about her experiences and was willing to be identified in this Report to help other players. U.S. Soccer's investigator also did not look into players' concerns that Whisler was not receptive to their complaints and that he had a financial incentive to protect Dames. This trial and error process is what highlights need and in turn creates important policies and guidelines for stability in our infrastructure, Zerboni told Equalizer. These failures placed players at risk and deepened players' distrust that reports of misconduct would be handled appropriately. The investigative teams evidence included inappropriate and suggestive text messages along with accounts of unwanted attention, even following pushback from the player. 55 names revealed for FIFA FIFPro Women's World11 2019 . You moron.' In his interview with the Joint Investigative Team, Whisler said it was "clear that it was mutually beneficial," especially given that the Red Stars were "probably the poorest team in the League." He stated that the non-disparagement clause was mutual, in that it required that the club not disparage Holly. The future of sports sponsorship? Women's sports - Sid Lee Inquiry finds widespread misconduct in women's pro soccer C. Following Clarkson's suspension, the Joint Investigative Team interviewed 19 additional current and former Dash players and staff, including Clarkson. It acknowledged that the League had a "need to know," and that an "allegation that a head coach has acted inappropriately toward a player is obviously of concern to the League." By the time Levine and Duffy spoke to the two players they interviewed other than the complainant, Whisler had already spoken to both of them. Shortly after Garcia began investigating, the Thorns retained a law firm to assist in the investigation. This scope included both sexual misconduct and other forms of misconduct. She specifically denied receiving any complaints from Press regarding Dames. While Dames affirmatively denied the allegation and said that he "let people go home all the time," the report provided no explanation for why the investigator credited his denial. NJ/NY Gotham FC and general manager Alyse LaHue have parted ways. For example, one former player explained, If I don't cover my man and they score, that might warrant screaming." Joint Investigation Reveals Why Alyse LaHue Was Fired from Gotham FC Lisa Baird did not investigate the 2021 complaints against Riley, which contained information that should have led Baird to inquire further. During the course of the investigation, an attorney from the law firm engaged by the Thorns provided Levine-who in addition to her duties at the time as general counsel of U.S. Soccer would advise the NWSL-with updates regarding the progress of the investigation. a) Vetting Requirements for Coaches and Staff When one Spirit player tackled a teammate during practice, Burke went off out of nowhere," calling the player a "fucking asshole" and a cheat." In 2021, responding to an email that mentioned the USSF Dames Investigation, Whisler wrote that Dames was "fully investigated" based on "an anonymous tip from a disgruntled former player," and that U.S. Soccer found that "no action was required." Photo courtesy of Gotham FC. They used derogatory and insulting language towards players, displayed insensitivity towards players mental health, and engaged in retaliation against players who attempted to report or did report concerns., In addressing root causes of those problems, the report says: Like many institutions, the League has been influenced by sexism, racism, homophobia, and other biases. 1. Holly told Simon that he may have talked to people behind the scenes to get her signed to the Dash. Her dismissal was based on the results of an NWSL investigation into a . In deciding whom to name, the Joint Investigative Team considered both the need for public accountability as well as the potential impact on player confidentiality. 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." A player similarly described Riley policing details, like players' off-field wardrobes, and described his behavior as creating a constant state of being on edge." According to players, Riley made unrealistic and seemingly arbitrary demands for player weight loss. Another child, tween, teen and beyond will know the world is better when it's . Precious little information has been available about what went down between LaHue and Gotham. 64, beliefs and goals as a player. Though his candidacy never became serious, the report alleges that then-NWSL president Amanda Duffy and general counsel Lisa Levine worked with NWSL communications staff to prepare a draft public statement (which was never publicly released) related to the handling of sexual harassment complaints and a 2015 investigation by the Thorns when he coached that team. The background checks should continue to be conducted by professional employment services companies in a manner consistent with any applicable legal restrictions and guidelines. f) Resurfacing of 2015 Allegations Against Riley The severance agreement provided that "Dames and the [Red Stars] may in the future enter into a new independent contracting relationship and wish to make clear their ability to do so upon a mutual agreement." Players and Thorns staff described the assistants as Riley's "yes-men" and recalled that they would not speak against Riley. The Thorns's handbook contains a similar Anti-Fraternization Policy which states that "[d]ating, romantic, and sexual relationships between players and staff and between managers and subordinates are prohibited." These background checks include education verification, employment verification, political exposure checks, and reviews of criminal and sex offender records, SafeSport records, civil litigation records, liens and judgments, bankruptcy records, and social media. Malik recalled that after his conversation with Paulson, he asked Plush for the report but Plush declined, telling Malik that the issue was an HR matter and that Riley had been cleared. Contrary to the assertion that the allegations were largely unsupported by specific examples," the report's own findings included multiple examples of the ways in which players felt Dames did not maintain professional boundaries. In response to Shim's email, Riley texted Shim asking to meet, and the two corresponded about meeting but ultimately did not meet. One player explained that these were not always instances of "overt discrimination, but they add up over time and it makes you question your performance and your role in the team." Stanton reflected that Dames "knew how to take the things that meant the most to you and turn them against you." Sky Blue FC, soccer club owned by Gov. Murphy, unveils new name, logo - nj Consider Requiring Clubs to Report Planned Player Transactions or Staff Terminations to the NWSL Following Allegations of Misconduct Pauw appeared for an interview with the Joint Investigative Team, but refused to cooperate. Aline Reis did not fully cooperate with the retaliation investigation, including by pressuring players to share favorable information with investigators. Two people used the phrase Jekyll and Hyde" to describe Holly. Shim's and Farrelly's interviews occurred in person at Providence Park, the stadium where Baird then-again based on a response Levine had drafted-responded to Farrelly with an email similar to the one she had sent Shim, stating that the initial complaint in 2015 had been investigated to conclusion" and that she could not "share any additional details." Hammond said that Kurtz's agent had requested a trade, and Hammond reached out to teams to try to find a trade for Kurtz. While he sometimes yelled at her during practice, she described the yelling as a one and done; others he [would] stick with for a whole practice. Another player who felt positively about Dames similarly said that Dames would "pick on" certain players, "constantly criticizing their on-field performance." Another member of the team said that LaHue paid special attention to this player and described instances in which she believed LaHue provided preferential treatment or sought to be close to the player. One staff member said that everything Holly did "in film, in training, in games, in formations, in tactics centered around protecting" Pearce Rampone. Alyse LaHue: The former Gotham FC general manager is reported to have engaged in inappropriate communications with players. 20, Farrelly briefly, and the players left the apartment. Based on the findings, the Thorns terminated Riley. One player told the Joint Investigative Team that when Black players raised the issue of race, they were "pushed to the side" or made to feel "crazy." Club leaders should have a plan to model and implement their commitment to player well-being, and the NWSL should vigilantly guard against leadership behavior that may discourage reporting or suggest disregard for player safety. To ensure DEI initiatives are prioritized and effective at creating a more inclusive environment for all players and staff, the NWSL should consider creating a Diversity Advisory Committee dedicated to making DEI improvements within the League. A third player recalled that during trips for away games, the team would "go to the bar together and Riley would "be there buying players . Shim and Farrelly expressed concern that Riley was still coaching in the NWSL, and Farrelly provided additional information regarding Riley that should have been of interest to the NWSL, but Levine did not take any steps to investigate further and drafted responsive language for then-Commissioner Lisa Baird to send to Shim and Farrelly conveying that the matter was closed. On The Joint Investigative Team learned of a relationship between a staff member and a player, although due to player confidentiality concerns this Report provides limited identifying details. Under the language of the policy, the question in evaluating conduct is whether it has the potential to cause emotional harm for a similarly situated player, and not whether the target of the conduct in fact experienced such harm or whether the emotional harm was specifically intended. At Riley's door, she felt he expected that she would come into his room. A player told the Joint Investigative Team that the club first attempted to fix the social media post without acknowledging the error or reaching out to the player, and only later issued an apology after Baucom posted about the error on Twitter. The policy, however, then states that [i]f a dating, romantic, or sexual relationship between a player and a staff member or between staff members develops, it must be disclosed to Human Resources" to allow the club "to take steps to protect the interest of [the] organization and the parties involved, which seems to suggest exceptions may be made to the policy. Several coaches routinely relied on derogatory language and name-calling to shame or criticize players. Background. Club policies should state clearly that all club staff are also subject to the NWSL Anti-Harassment Policy, which goes beyond merely prohibiting unlawful harassment. The League received reports of misconduct by Dames, but the League did not follow up on the results of the 2018 U.S. Soccer investigation into those reports. Hendrix said Simon shared Holly's comment with her, and Holly's "nonchalant response to Simon asking him to stop touching her made them wonder if he was "doing something to someone else." . The Joint Investigative Team sought evidence from U.S. Soccer in the form of relevant documents and interviews of current and former U.S. Soccer employees. He would switch seats on the plane during team travel to sit next to her. E. Enhance Reporting and Investigation Procedures Naming Criteria.. The Oversight Committee pledged to ensure that the investigation was independent, thorough, and objective. Since then, the lineup of clubs has undergone various changes. NWSL investigation finds 'ongoing misconduct,' details culture of abuse, Red Stars owner Whisler selling stake in club, NWSL year in review: Extreme parity, emerging USWNT stars, new CBA, Yates report, more, NWSL abuse allegations as they happened: Portland Thorns, Washington Spirit timelines, day by day, Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more (U.S.). Multiple players reported that Holly complimented a Racing Louisville player about her hair in one of her Instagram photographs; she was wearing a bathing suit in the photograph. Wahlke admitted that she did not share the findings and conclusions from the report with the NWSL or the Red Stars because the material was privileged. In 2022, it was updated to prohibit discrimination and retaliation more explicitly. (The league has not always used that specific title. The policy contains a broad prohibition on harassment, discrimination, bullying, and retaliation, and explicitly applies to "any and all" forms of each type of misconduct. A source familiar with the situation at Gotham explained to The Equalizer that in early 2022 the team brought in an HR consultant and has recently brought in an HR Executive as an additional resource for the team. This former player said a few players were kind of being weirded out" by Dames's invitations, because they felt he was "always asking" them "to go get food" or to "hang out" with him. WUSA, the first women's professional soccer league in the United States, began play in April 2001. F. According to the report, she denied the allegations. Two overlapping trends factor into why there are two major reports on systemic abuse in the NWSL: a lack of trust in reporting systems, and a lack of accountability among those in positions of power. This concern was well-founded. Clubs Moved Coaches Accused of Misconduct to Other Roles Players recounted numerous instances in which club staff made inappropriate sexual and objectifying comments. The USWNT has won medalsincluding four gold medalsin every Olympic Games except one since women's soccer was added as an event in 1996. Garcia, who conducted all of the interviews and collected and reviewed documents and text messages from individuals she interviewed, is not a lawyer and lacked experience in conducting sensitive investigations. If the NWSL receives a complaint or report of alleged misconduct regarding club staff, it should consider requiring that club to report any planned player transactions or staff terminations to the NWSL for the remainder of the current season and the following off-season. Craig Harrington (Chicago Red Stars, Assistant Coach, 2018-2019; Utah Royals, Head Coach, 2020) However, Wahlke did not take steps to engage with the League or the Courage about why Riley was still coaching in the NWSL. In response to her request, Courage Assistant General Manager Bobby Hammond conveyed to Kurtz or her agent that the club was unable to find a trade for her, but that it could increase her salary by a "few thousand dollars." Starr said it would have been helpful to have received more clarity and guidance about how to handle the situation in her role, and that she received no training from the NWSL. At OL Reign, CEO (and for much of the club's history, the principal owner) Bill Predmore also managed HR. One player reported that Riley, Wilkinson, and Thorns owner Merritt Paulson had a close relationship, leading to a perception that players could be traded for raising complaints against any one of the three. When interviewed by the Joint Investigative Team, Levine deflected criticism of the NWSL's failure to act in response to these complaints onto the players themselves. 105 108 A player on another team recalled that when her team was divided into groups, an assistant coach commented that one of the groups of players was the prettiest and most attractive group. Some players explained that their own experience playing for tough or abusive coaches in youth leagues or in college colored their ability to accurately determine whether NWSL coaches' conduct constituted emotional misconduct. Riley publicly withdrew his name from consideration for the position on August 20, 2019. Interview with Alyse LaHue, General Manager at NJ/NY Gotham FC * Several individuals separately confirmed Benstiti was explicitly told he could not discuss weight or food with the players. In May 2018, U.S. Soccer's investigator spoke to Press regarding her complaint that Dames "verbally and emotionally abuse[d] . Christy Holly (Sky Blue, Assistant Coach, 2013-2015 and Head Coach, 2016-2017; Racing Louisville, Head Coach, 2020-2021) In an email, LaHue's counsel described the allegations against LaHue as "false claims." So far, the league and club have done a fine job keeping the details under wraps. This witness said that Riley did not make similar comments about players in relationships with men. In evaluating potential misconduct towards players by those in positions of power, the Joint Investigative Team gathered relevant evidence, made factual findings, and analyzed whether those findings met established definitions of misconduct. Hendrix also heard from a teammate that Holly had been speaking negatively of her to club staff. Paulson told the Joint Investigative Team that Garcia and an attorney presented the report to Thorns leadership.