US Soccer Federation Ordered Investigation That Revealed Verbal And Sexual Abuse Of Female Athletes
There are more and more accounts of sexual abuse that take place in women's sports coming to light, and women's soccer is yet another arena where female athletes were abused and exploited by their male coaches and superiors. The US Soccer Federation ordered an investigation and found multiple allegations of verbal abuse and sexual misconduct involving many well-known coaches.
The world was stunned when American female gymnasts came forward to announce the sexual abuse they endured for years from the former national team doctor, Larry Nassar. Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Makayla Maroney, and Maggie Nichols have come forward and testified against Nassar to reveal truly horrifying accounts of abuse. Nassar pled guilty in 2017 and is serving up to 175 years in prison for multiple sex crimes. Sadly, it seems as though women's soccer in the US is uncovering similar allegations of verbal and sexual abuse.
US Soccer Federation Ordered Investigation That Revealed Verbal and Sexual Abuse of Female Athletes
According to an investigation ordered by the official governing body US Soccer Federation, the National Women's Soccer League created an environment that allowed female players to endure verbal, sexual, and emotional abuse by the coaches for years. The investigation was led by Sally Yates, former acting attorney general, and it included more than 200 interviews with current and former players, coaches, and multiple other staff members.
Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the US Soccer Federation, said she was "heartbroken" over what Yates found.
"The abuse described in the report is entirely inexcusable and has no place in soccer, on or off the field," she said. "Along with everyone at US Soccer, I am squarely focused on the changes we will make to address the report’s findings and make soccer safer for everyone. It will take all of US Soccer’s membership working together to create the kind of change needed to ensure our athletes are safe."
Former coach Rory Dames allegedly called his players "c*nts," "p*ssy," "retarded," and "b*tches." Head coach in Philadelphia Paul Riley allegedly coerced multiple women into having a sexual relationship with each other, sending inappropriate and suggestive texts to them late at night. Former coach of Racing Louisville Christy Holly sexually abused player Erin Simon by showing her pornography, masturbating in front of her, and grabbing her private parts. All of these coaches were fired, but their abuse went on for years before it was discovered.
A statement was made by Erin Simon, Mana Shim, and Sinead Farrelly. "There have been too many years of inaction and too many empty promises made while players suffered at the hands of the league," the statement read. "No one involved has taken responsibility for the clear role they played in harming players—not the teams, not the league, and not the federation. They chose to ignore us and silence us, allowing the abuse to continue."
"It's time for action, accountability, and change. Owners who have driven a culture of disrespect, who are complicit in abusing their own players, have no place in this league and should be removed from governance immediately," the statement continued. "This will be the first of many necessary steps to finally hearing our voices and keeping our players safe."
The United States Women's National Team Players Association also made a statement about the importance of providing a safe environment for players.
"The USWNTPA commends the courage of the survivors, current players, and former players who came forward to speak out against abusive practices that have become far too normalized in the NWSL and women's soccer generally," the statement said. "At the same time, USWNTPA is dismayed that some NWSL clubs and USSF staff impeded the investigation; those who have not done so should fully cooperate with the ongoing NWSL/NWSLPA investigation immediately."
Apparently, the US Soccer Federation's board of directors is putting together a new national Office of Participant Safety and will publish soccer records from SafeSport's Centralized Disciplinary Database. Although there will be efforts made to create a safer environment for athletes moving forward, it's tragic that these women have already suffered so much at the hands of their superiors.