User:Tessiosepovici/National Women's Soccer League

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Sexual Harassment in the NWSL: Introduction

The NWSL has undergone many allegations and reports of sexual harassment, misconduct, manipulation, pressure to lose an unhealthy amount of weight, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse, racist and sexist remarks, and the list goes on. These allegations of crossing professional boundaries with players led to formal investigations on the NWSL and many of its teams and coaches. Former US attorney general Sally Yates wrote in her report regarding the investigation how “Abuse in the NWSL is rooted in a deeper culture in women's soccer, beginning in youth leagues, that normalizes verbally abusive coaching and blurs boundaries between coaches and players," The investigations ultimately concluded that multiple forms of emotional abuse and sexual misconduct were systematic in the sport and were not a one-time occurrence; they impacted many teams, coaches, and players. This led to public protests by players and as a result, multiple coaches have been reprimanded for their behavior. Five out of 10 head coaches in the 2021 season were fired or stepped down due to misconduct allegations. Some of the more significant allegations include Coaches Riley, Dames, Burke, and Holly, who all faced harsh punishments resulting in being completely banned from coaching as well as having involvement in activities pertaining to the NWSL.

Before the 14-month investigation into such allegations, there were no written rules to reprimand these coaches and other people of authority in the NWSL for gross misconduct. For the first nine years of its existence, The National Women’s Soccer League operated without formal policies to prohibit these forms of misconduct and sexual harassment. Yet in the spring of 2021, the “Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying” was implemented.

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Rory Dames

Before Rory Dames became the head coach of the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars, he previously coached at St Viator High School and for a youth soccer club named “The Eclipse Select Soccer Club”.  Dames was hired to coach the Chicago Red Stars based on his reputation at his previous youth club, as the team never performed a background check.

In 1998 a former player at St. Viator High School reported that Dames, her coach at the time, allegedly touched her upper thigh inappropriately. This occurred when the player was a minor and Dames was 25 years old. Dames was reported for regularly spend time with his young players outside of soccer alone, also making degrading and sexual jokes. It was said that he would regularly sexualize the team environment as he brought up comments about foreplay, oral sex, or their “sex lives” to his youth players. Dames was accused of sexual misconduct by several youth players in his soccer school throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s. One of the accusations being that Dames started “grooming” her when she was 14 years old, as he waited until she was 18 years of age to pursue a sexual relationship. She told Hensley-Clancy, a reporter for The Washington Post, that “The way the relationship formed made her feel there was no way out”. Megan Cnota, a former player for Dames’ club, was interviewed about Dames’ behavior. She stated that she and others have tried to bring the public’s attention to it but nobody believed them.

During Dames’ time coaching for the Chicago Red Stars, players filed many complaints about him. One of the national team stars complained that “He does not have a safe distance between himself and his players.”  He uses his power and status as the coach to manipulate players and get close to them.” He would allegedly continue to “exploit his position as head coach” at the Philadelphia Independence (WPS), pressuring Sinead Farrelly and two other players into sexual relationships. In 2014, national team players reported two coaches, one of the two being Dames. Eventually, they were told by the public that they were trying to shut the league down. In total, 14 former players of Dames have reported accounts of either benign sexually, verbally, or emotionally abusive towards them.

On November 21, 2021, Dames decided to resign from his position as head coach of the Red Stars.

Erin Simon and Christy Holly

Erin Simon was a former American Women’s soccer player on Gotham FC and Racing Louisville FC. On August 31, 2021, Christy Holly, former Gotham FC and Racing Louisville FC coach, was officially reported for sexual misconduct to the Yates Investigation Team. The Yates Report is the official investigation led by Sally Q. Yates, covering emotional abuse and sexual misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League (“NWSL”). This document, released on October 2, 2022, includes information about Holly’s conduct towards Simon, as well as other cases of mistreatment of players in the NWSL. The Covington and Weil Report came out on December 14, 2022, and includes additional information about sexual and emotional damage in the NWSL.

After serving as a volunteer coach, Holly became head coach of Gotham FC (formerly known as Sky Blue FC) in 2016. He did not obtain a coaching license. The first interaction between Simon and Holly, reported by the Covington Report and Weil Report, was when Holly offered Simon a position on Gotham FC after Simon graduated from college. However, neither remained part of the team for long. Media sources and the Yates Investigation Team reported that Holly was fired in 2017 because of his sexual relationship with former Gotham FC defender, Christie Pearce, as well as his increase in verbal abuse towards players. After Holly left because of these accusations, he took a position as the head coach for Racing Louisville FC, despite that Holly did not have the United States Soccer Federation required license to head coach for Racing Louisville.

The second interaction between Holly and Simon was when Holly helped Simon advance her career a year later. Simon left Gotham FC and signed with an English club, West Ham United Women FC. Simon said Holly’s connections helped Simon with this achievement. However, media sources report that Holly’s gestures changed from appropriate to inappropriate in the summer of 2018. When Holly started training Simon during her offseason, he began to send her inappropriate text messages, including nude photographs and videos. Actions progressed, as Holly allegedly grabbed Simon’s breasts while she was making smoothies in his house. Pearce was allegedly present during this incident, but she did not see it. Media sources also report that during the United States Women’s National Team Under 23 camp, Holly invited Simon to his hotel room. However, it was reported that Simon declined the offer.

In August 2020, Holly was offered a position to be the head coach of Racing Louisville FC. In November 2020, Simon was drafted to play for Racing Louisville. Media sources say that Simon reached out to Holly, saying that since she began to play for him, he had to stop his inappropriate behavior and messaging.

Media sources state that Holly’s sexual assault towards Simon, however, did not end when he became head coach. When watching game film with Simon, Holly would allegedly show her pornography while touching himself and Simon sexually. It was reported that Simon tried to ask Holly to watch the game film in more open places, but he would refuse and, once again, touch Simon forcefully. Additionally, the Yates Investigation Team reported that Holly would touch Simon inappropriately for every unsuccessful pass she made. Allegedly, Holly would also text Simon, expressing interest in visiting her apartment and describing what he would do to her. Media sources report that when Holly would send Simon explicit photographs, he also requested that she send photographs of herself in return.

Holly has not been charged with a crime for allegedly sexually assaulting Simon. In January 2023, NWSL permanently banned Holly and fined Racing Louisville FC $200,000. Racing Louisville FC gave Holly a severance of $14,000 and asked him to leave his apartment because he lived near Simon. Racing Louisville FC signed a non-disclosure and non-disparagement with Holly, which meant that neither Holly nor the club could make public statements about the situation. If either side did, they would have to pay the other $5,000. The Yates Investigation team did not get any documents or hear from any witnesses from Racing Louisville FC regarding the situation because of the agreement. On October 5th, 2022, the president of Racing Louisville FC, James O’Connor, said that the club "will cooperate with the ongoing NWSL/NWSLPA joint investigation." Media sources say that players on Racing Louisville FC do not believe a non-disclosure agreement was necessary because the club could have publicly stated that Holly was accused of sexual harassment, without saying Simon’s name. Simon agreed to the Yates Investigation Team using her name in the report and said, "This report allows our voices to finally be heard and is the first step toward achieving the respectful workplace we all deserve." After leaving Racing Louisville FC, Simon went on to play for English club Leicester City Women FC. On July 7th, 2023, Simon announced her retirement.

Paul Riley (Farelly)

Paul Riley, a former football player from England, became a prominent coach for his success in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), now known as the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Throughout Riley’s coaching career, he faced many controversies, particularly cases of sexual assault and harassment. Accusations surfaced of Riley engaging in sexual coercion with his players which were published in an article from The Athletic published in September of 2021. After disclosing these accusations, Riley was dismissed from his managerial position with the North Carolina Courage.

In 2011, midfielder Sinead Farrelly was drafted into the NWSL by the Philadelphia Independence, at the time coached by Paul Riley. Initially seen as having great potential, according to reports from The Athletic, Farrelly received special attention from Riley during her rookie season. This attention led to the lines between player and coach being blurred, as Riley allegedly started asking her more personal questions, buying her drinks, and giving numerous compliments. After a loss in the 2011 WPS championship, Farrelly alleges that Riley pressured her into a sexual encounter in his hotel room.

In December 2013, Paul Riley was hired as the new coach of the Portland Thorns. Shortly after his hiring in January of 2014, the Portland Thorns traded for Sinead Farrelly. During her first season with the Thorns, Farrelly began dating one of her teammates. Upon learning this, Riley allegedly made derogatory comments towards Farrelly, stating that she was “too hot to be a lesbian”

On January 10th 2014 Houston Dash drafted Thorns midfielder Meleana Shim. Shim tells Riley she wants to stay in Portland. On the 17th, Thorns traded college draft picks to keep Shim. Riley stated "Since Houston drafted her, our priority had been to get her back."

In July 2014, towards the end of a match against the Chicago Red Stars, Farrelly collapsed on the field. After a brain scan, Farrelly was told the reason for her collapsing was migraines, but later Riley stated, “I realize now I was not okay. I couldn’t function under him (Riley). Farrelly would remain sidelined for the remainder of the 2014 season.

In May 2015, following a home match, Riley personally invited Farrelly and a teammate to his apartment. At his apartment, Riley reportedly made sexual comments toward both Farrelly and her teammate, then requested that they kiss each other. He promised to spare the team fitness drills later in the week if they complied.

During the NWSL preseason in 2015, Thorns manager Gavin Wilkinson told midfielder Mana Shim to be a closeted player (In reference to her coming out in August 2013). Shim says during the 2014 season, head coach Paul Riley “made her feel small,” verbally berated her and [...] other players, commented on her weight, and [used both][...] praise and criticism to make players compete for his favor.

Mana Shim and Riley Timeline

On May 9th, 2015 after a game in Portland, Thorns players and coaches go to a bar. Riley tells the bartender to "Get the girls whatever they want" with his card. The assistant coach leaves, Riley gives the players more drinks. Shim told E60, Riley asked to dance with her, and came up behind her trying to grind on her. Returning from the restroom, Riley allegedly asks Shim and Farelly if they ever hook up. He asks them to kiss each other and adds an incentive: the team won’t have to do “the suicide mile” at next training. Shim needs to use the restroom while walking back. Riley offers his apartment.

In June of 2015, While traveling to a game in Houston on June 5th, Riley asks Shim to watch game film in his hotel room. Shim tells Farrelly that Riley continues to make her uncomfortable since the bar incident in May: He texts her more and has asked her to dinners alone. She shows Farelly a photo sent from Riley - when he asked her to his hotel room - of him only in compression shorts. Farrelly says Riley sent her similar photos when he coached her in her former club. Shim goes to Riley's room to review film. She opens the door to him in only white briefs, she told E60. He allegedly “tells Shim to get on his bed to watch film.” when there was no film ready. Shim excuses herself.

That same year on July 5th, Shim tells her teammate Alex Morgan about Riley. Morgan tries to help Shim file an anonymous complaint. At the time there was no procedure to do so. Shim emails Riley expressing how she "felt uncomfortable" and wants a professional relationship. She writes "We both know that your interactions with me have been inappropriate and it has negatively impacted me on the field,". Yates investigators say Riley deleted the email (and cleared his trash folder). Shim’s playing time with the Thorns was reduced.

Shim files a formal complaint on September 16th to the Thorns about Riley's behavior (it includes more allegations than just May and June) Shim emails Wilkinson, club owner Paulson, Riley and Thorns HR director Nancy Garcia Ford about the incidents with Riley and forwards it to Jeff Plush, commissioner of the NWSL. Plush says the league will investigate.

After receiving the email, Plush forwards it to Levine with the comment, “See below. Not good.” The investigation begins on the 17th; Up through the 22nd, Thorns HR director separately interviews Shim and Farelly. On the 18th, Levine is told there are emails and text messages: one text reads, “I am so horny I want to f— you.” She is also told Riley asked two players to kiss in front of him. Ford interviews Shim and Farrelly. Following the incident, Ford generates a report on Shim’s complaint. Thorn’s counsel emails Levine a copy and expresses how it does not use the word “sexual” or “harassment,” doesn’t reveal “unlawful harassment” (even though the report itself doesn’t consider the lawfulness of Riley’s actions) doesn’t include many allegations, and describes Shim as accusing Riley of “inappropriate behavior.” But, the Thorns Report includes alleged details such as Shim and Farrelly kissing in front of Riley. The Thorns fire Riley due to the investigation. They publicly announce Riley will no longer coach but refrain from saying why.

In October later that year, Farrelly was traded from the Portland Thorns to the Boston Breakers. Following the trade, Farrelly emailed Wilkinson on October 3rd, disappointed with how Thorns handled the allegations. Her email mentioned how the events with Riley, “have drastically changed [her] life and career…”

In January of 2016 NWSL team, The Western New York Flash, considered Riley as new head coach. During a consult with Vice president of the Flash, Aaran Lines, Wilkinson tells him they should hire Riley. Wilkinson says he "would hire him in a heartbeat." He mentions Shim's allegations, but indicates she is a “disgruntled player” who put Riley “in a bad position” per the Yates report.

Continuing into March of 2021 of Riley is still coaching in the NWSL. Shim sent her complaint from 2015 on March 15th to Baird, Plush's successor as NWSL commissioner, and requested a new investigation as well as information on next steps the NWSL may take to provide players protection. Baird replies on the 16th of March but ignores the request to reinvestigate. Shim follows up on her request on the 17th. Baird does not reply.

In April, Shim emails Baird and makes herself available for an interview. Baird replies to Shim saying her complaint was “investigated to conclusion” and can’t share other details.

On May 3rd, through its newly implemented reporting process, the NWSL received an anonymous report about Riley’s behavior. Baird replies to Farrelly on the 5th (just as she did Shim) saying the initial complaint was investigated to conclusion and can’t share details.

In September of 2021, Shim and Farelly share their experiences with Riley in an article published by The Athletic. Riley denies the allegations of predatory sexual harassment, coercion, etc. The Courage fire Riley. Baird says she is "shocked and disgusted to read the new allegations [...] in The Athletic." In response, Alex Morgan shares screenshots of Baird and Farrelly’s emails.

In August of 2022, the Oregonian’s report states the 2015 Thorns investigation “wasn’t in line with modern standards of sexual misconduct allegations.” It clears Wilkinson of wrongdoings from 2014 and describes the comment on Shim’s sexuality as a “misunderstanding.”

Shim responds in September and states there was no misunderstanding and it was very clear Wilkinson told her to stop being open with her sexuality.

On October 3rd, the yearlong investigation by Sally Yates is released. It reveals how the Thorns refused to share its 2015 investigation on Riley, tampered with witnesses, and states Paulson failed to act on warnings about Riley prior to Shim's complaint. Players report that Paulson and Wilkinson made sexist, demeaning and inappropriate comments to Thorns players and female staff.