Throughout Dames's tenure as head coach of the Red Stars, owner Arnim Whisler minimized and dismissed players' concerns that Dames was verbally and emotionally abusive. The relationship also created problems among the players. In written responses to the Joint Investigative Team, Plush stated that he told then-Sky Blue President and General Manager Tony Novo there were allegations of inappropriate conduct against Riley, encouraged Novo to reach out to the Thorns, and discouraged him from hiring Riley. Burke acknowledged much of this conduct to the Joint Investigative Team, though he expressed that he did not view his conduct as problematic and claimed that some of the instances had been mischaracterized. Several players raised concerns about Riley encouraging players to drink to excess. Two players expressed the concern that speaking out about issues of race could jeopardize a player's The summary also stated that the allegation was "credibly denied by Whisler," but he in fact did not explicitly deny the allegation. The Joint Investigative Team found that Riley engaged in repeated misconduct, including towards Farrelly and Shim, and Courage player Kaleigh Kurtz. They also spoke with Cindy Parlow Cone-former Thorns head coach and current U.S. Soccer President who indicated that Riley was better with up and coming players, was not as good with established players, and that players felt Riley over-trained them. One player explained that it took her several years to realize that Riley's treatment of players on the Courage was manipulative, and that other coaches don't treat people this way." Already a member? When Gothams statement leaned on the league, a further inquiry returned this statement: Following a complaint, the league conducted an investigation and shared the findings of that investigation with Gotham FC. The Courage also received some assurance about Riley from other club leaders and from the NWSL, including the fact that Riley had been hired by the Flash after departing the Thorns. Another player told Courage leadership that Riley had been verbally abusive and created a culture of fear" in which players could not express opinions, and that other coaches had allowed Riley to engage in this behavior. Levine told the Joint Investigative Team that from what she could recall, Lines was removed "directly in response" to the survey results. With regards to Dames's treatment of players, one player recalled, "It wasn't like, 'Hey, bad pass.' . When the Joint Investigative Team interviewed her, Wahlke denied making such a request. In interviews with the Joint Investigative Team, both Levine and Duffy remembered that they paused the NWSL investigation at Wahlke's request. As a result, players reported multiple instances in which they did not report concerns or misconduct. Players reported the club did not take sufficient action to address players' concerns after the meeting. The League and clubs should post easily-identifiable links to online reporting channels on websites where current and former players are likely to see them. The 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy requires clubs to promptly report all reports of misconduct to the League. While the NWSL investigation was ongoing, Dash Head Coach James Clarkson-during a team meeting prior to completion of the investigation-wrote phone numbers for stadium security on a board and asked players to call and apologize for their conduct. Another player recalled either O'Connor or Estes stating that what Holly did was disgusting" and "unacceptable," and that the club would ensure this never happens again." According to the USSF Dames Report, Dames admitted that he used the term "thug" to refer to a Black player but adamantly denied any racial intent. Many players bravely recounted painful and personal experiences before and during this investigation in service of truth, accountability, and reform. Multiple players recognized the frequency of these invitations and communications as "not normal and "inappropriate." On the evening of June 14, 2018, two days after the NWSL received the complaint about Dames, Levine and Duffy paused their investigation at Wahlke's request and informed the players they had contacted that they were "handing the matter off to an independent third party." There are some interesting suggestions in the report, too, including a call for the NWSL to establish and enforce a policy discouraging the use of nondisclosure and non-disparagement agreements "in circumstances involving alleged or substantiated misconduct under the Anti-Harassment Policy." Multiple individuals confirmed that Benstiti addressed the players to criticize their diets and weight. The NWSL should revise the 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy to clarify the actions that could be considered retaliatory. Paulson told the Joint Investigative Team that Garcia and an attorney presented the report to Thorns leadership. Players also drew a connection between coaches who engaged in abusive behavior and coaches who, in the players' view, relished the feeling of having power over their players. As for the players, there is a hope that with this report finally coming out, all eyes can turn toward the future of the league. Craig Harrington, the former Utah Royal F.C. NWSL investigation discovers 'widespread misconduct' in 'vast majority More than one individual used the phrase "Jekyll and Hyde" to describe Holly, who exhibited patterns of hot and cold behavior that caused anxiety and uncertainty for players. Former NY/NJ Gotham FC general manager Alyse. OL Reign hired Farid Benstiti despite public evidence that Benstiti had engaged in weight shaming of Lindsey Horan, who had played for him at Paris Saint-Germain. Require Certification of the Completion of Mandatory Trainings and Closely Track Compliance For instance, one player said that while she felt Whisler "cared," she felt he did not "get it or understand what he lets happen." The NWSL planned to offer the same in-person anti-harassment training in 2020 but did not do so due to the pandemic. Players recounted that he told one player he would have sex with her. Two prior leagues have." Finally, players and club staff recalled that Riley made caustic remarks to Thorns players, calling players idiots and motherfuckers, harshly criticizing their weight, and commenting about players' sexual orientations (including stating that a player loves a strapon"). Novo said club leadership told him to give Holly "the opportunity to step away if he wants to." Former U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati observed that it was a challenge every year to get the owners to come back for another year and lose money. . In these instances, U.S. Soccer, the League, and the Thorns shared incomplete and high-level information about Riley's misconduct, which underplayed the extent of his misconduct. The next day, on June 13, 2018, Levine informed Whisler that a player had raised a complaint. Non-fraternization policies need to extend beyond just head coaches as demonstrated within the report with very critical language regarding relationships between players and staff. Williams proffered non-retaliatory justifications for the transaction to the Joint Investigative Team. Create and Enforce a Policy Discouraging the Use of NDAs in Connection with Allegations of Misconduct Players may also report concerns via the NWSLPA hotline, the details for which are set forth in the policy, or to any team HR department, general manager, or administrator. B. The league will work with the players association to ensure that the results of these team and league reviews will serve as a road map to ensure safe environments for players and staff." The report, however, did not conclude that Dames's conduct "amounted to verbal and emotional abuse" or that his behavior would constitute a violation of the SafeSport Code of Conduct, if the Code applied. Where players' clubs shared ownership or management with men's teams, players reported that their owners prioritized the men's teams, even in cases where the women's teams were more successful. The NWSL engaged Covington & Burling LLP ("Covington") to conduct an independent investigation, and the NWSLPA engaged counsel at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP ("Weil"). Even retired players expressed fears that former coaches could affect their careers. The NWSL should consider expanding and further supporting formal pipelines for former and current players who are interested in coaching and support those players in their pursuit of coaching positions, beyond the current A different player explained that "a lot of coaches . Following the survey responses, Whisler wrote in an email, I can tell you that Rory offered his resignation to me last night because of the embarrassment he thought it caused the organization. New subjects include details on why former Gotham FC general manager Alyse LaHue was fired in July of last year. The lack of clearly established responsibilities allowed individuals within these institutions to disclaim personal responsibility for player protection and to turn a blind eye or shift blame to other individuals and entities, while players were left exposed to further misconduct and unsafe environments. 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. For the player, the offer "was weird" and not appropriate." In June 2021, on behalf of a Gotham FC player, the Clubs Director of Operations submitted to the NWSL a complaint alleging that Gothams General Manager Alyse LaHue had harassed a player. Gorden's boyfriend was prevented from entering an area where he could speak with her, and she said publicly that her white teammates were visiting family in the same area, but were not scrutinized. One player noted, In the NWSL, if players have a problem, we send an email or call to the Players Association to help us decide which direction to go. She later described feeling "powerless" and "scared to say no." 120, An explanation of the reporting channels should also be a key component to antiharassment training, anti-bullying training, anti-retaliation training, and any other trainings the NWSL or clubs provide. 3. The Joint Investigative Team heard different accounts regarding exactly what information was shared with players at this meeting. 109, result of the failure to share information, the NWSL, the Red Stars, and players were left with the impression that Dames's behavior was deemed acceptable by U.S. Soccer. Lisa Levine (U.S. Soccer, General Counsel, 2009-2017; NWSL, General Counsel, 2017-2021) She still is not making the kind of money she might command in the corporate world, but LaHue is fairly certain she is having more fun. An initial complaint against Clarkson was filed in December 2021, and the joint investigators leading Wednesday's report spoke with seven current and former players who described the coach as "volatile, verbally abusive, and not showing appropriate regard for players' wellbeing." Despite this high turnover, the NWSL has proven to be more resilient than its predecessor leagues. In response, the owner pointed out that the player was one of the highest-paid players in the League and discussed how club expenses came out of his own pocket. History of Professional Women's Soccer in the United States A player expressed a similar concern, saying that she felt Holly made "decisions that weren't in the best interest of the team" because of his relationship. Background checks and reputational vetting of player-facing club employees were not mandatory for much of the NWSL's existence. These misunderstandings hindered the reporting and identification of misconduct, placing players at unnecessary risk. A staff member reported that he and another staff member told Clarkson that they did not believe it was a hangover. Another player recalled hearing about and witnessing the same behavior. One person who works with players in the League mentioned that she had seen text messages to other players from coaches that engaged in such emotional manipulation. The Thorns's 2015 report clearly established certain of Shim's uncontested allegations, including that Riley made alcohol available to Shim and Farrelly at his apartment and danced with Shim, and that the players kissed at Riley's apartment that night (something Shim and another player corroborated was done to avoid the suicide mile); that Riley had one-on-one film sessions at his apartment with Shim and had dinner alone with Shim; that Riley sent Shim a series of inappropriate text messages; and that Riley deleted an email from Shim to Riley informing him that his conduct was inappropriate without telling his superiors about Shim's email. For at least one player, the limited size and resources of the League contributed to an impression that clubs were solely or primarily responsible for handling investigations. Gulati acknowledged that he had read the memorandum in advance of a meeting with players, including Press, on September 17, 2014, but said that he did not remember any specifics about the meeting, including whether Dames's conduct was discussed. Farrelly emailed Wilkinson expressing discontent and concern that she was being traded so soon after the investigation into Riley's conduct. Ms. LaHue was placed on unpaid administrative leave while the NWSLs third-party investigator reviewed the matter. Players Lacked Clear Guidance Regarding What Constituted Misconduct .. One player said that when she suggested players decline Dames's social invitations, the players asked her, "Then what if he doesn't play me? This player explained, "You don't want to say no to the coach." OL Reign Clarkson denied In 2020 and 2021, the League saw a series of high-profile departures following reports of interpersonal misconduct. The same player recalled that Pauw would "have certain [players] over for coffee and biscuits," which she felt was inappropriate. A consultant who assessed Riley's email account as part of the 2015 Thorns Investigation concluded that Riley had deleted the message from his inbox, and then further selected it for permanent deletion from the deleted items folder, which he had The report points out issues within the NWSLs infrastructure, including a historical lack of background check procedures for potential coach and front-office hires. Kurtz reported that Riley shared details of his sex life and asked her probing questions about her relationship. Riley engaged in additional misconduct while at the Courage. Burke also used racial slurs, made racially insensitive and offensive jokes, and undermined and discouraged activism on issues of race. During this meeting, Simon emphasized that she wanted to remain confidential, because she felt scared and unsafe. In addition to their many concerns about Dames, players told U.S. Soccer's investigator they felt the club's owner, Arnim Whisler, was insensitive and unresponsive to their concerns about Dames." . Falling between these two approaches, one club consulted with owners at the coach's former club and U.S. Soccer staff during the hiring process, but not with the coach's former 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. When the player asked if Holly was referring to a nude photo, she recalled that Holly replied that if that was what it took to get a nude photo from that player, he would stand her up "any day." Though Levine cautioned Whisler against retaliation, Levine confirmed to Whisler the identity of the complaining player. Trainings should be streamlined and consistent, and should be mandatory for League staff, club staff, volunteers who regularly interact with players, and players across all clubs. In addition, romantic relationships between players and staff, even when consensual, blur the lines between appropriate and inappropriate behavior, increasing the risk of misconduct. Women's Soccer Bans Ex-Coaches and Fines Teams After Misconduct Report