Horrified America called for heads to roll

While USA preparing for Friday’s match against England at Wembley Stadium, the players are still trying to process an investigation that found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct to be systemic in women’s football. “We are horrified, heartbroken, disappointed, tired and very, very angry,” said defenseman Becky Sauerbrunn.

Former Acting US Attorney General Sally Q. Yates investigated allegations of abuse in the Women’s National Soccer League after a series of scandals last year. The NWSL and its players’ association are conducting another investigation. And it was five out of ten NWSL coaches fired or resigned last season amid allegations of misconduct. This includes North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley, who was fired after two former players, Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly, accused him of coercion and sexual harassment a decade ago. Riley has denied the allegations.

Yates’ report focused on three former managers, including Riley, and not only found misconduct by all three, but also said their clubs were not fully cooperating. “It’s taken too long for players to demand change because people in positions of authority have repeatedly failed to protect us and failed to hold themselves and others accountable. Who are they protecting and what values ​​are they defending? They have failed in their management. The owners, executives and the investigating federation officials should resign.”

OL Reign player Alana Cook said: “I think we have an important occasion on Friday playing in a sold-out stadium like Wembley, but the game is overshadowed by this report, and it is overshadowed of the atrocities that took place. approved, sanctioned and permitted”. The report made several recommendations to prioritize the health and safety of female players. Among them was the requirement that teams accurately report foul play conduct of coaches in the league and in the soccer federation to ensure that coaches cannot move between teams.It also requires meaningful investigation of coaches and timely investigation of complaints.

US Soccer also said it would immediately implement programs to protect players. “It was a difficult day, yesterday, many emotions, different emotions. I am personally saddened by the report because of everything we saw here,” said US coach Vlatko Andonovski. “At the same time, I feel a lot of empathy for the players and I have great respect for the bravery of those who spoke and participated in this report. Football is a sport we all love and it should be a safe place.”