Sexual abuse and aggression in women's football: a "systemic" practice in the United States
Former U.S. Women's National Team player Cindy Parlow Cone took charge of the U.S. Women's Soccer in 2020 and launched the investigation.
USA TODAY Sports - Scott Taetsch
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
A report commissioned a year ago after allegations of misconduct and harassment in the U.S. National Women's Soccer League came out on Monday, October 3.
It is overwhelming for the governing bodies.
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With our correspondent in Washington,
Guillaume Naudin
"
The findings of the investigation are heartbreaking, infuriating and deeply disturbing
," said US Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow.
She had commissioned this report herself last year when she took office after the departure of the management in the wake of accusations of sexual assault brought by two players against England coach
Paul Riley
. then dismissed by the North Carolina Courage.
Another coach, Richie Burke, who ran the Washington Spirit, was also sacked after an investigation for verbal abuse and moral harassment.
Young people also affected
Report entrusted to former senior Justice Department official Sally Yates and law firm King & Spalding confirms allegations of misconduct, harassment and sexual assault by multiple coaches on female players at clubs .
It establishes "
sexual comments, advances, unwanted touching and forced sex
" within the North American League (NWSL) and even beyond, in structures dedicated to young players.
Worse, he makes new revelations and targets in particular three coaches, who have since been deprived of licenses.
These behaviors "
became systemic, encompassing multiple teams, coaches and victims
," Yates wrote in that report, noting that "
these abuses within the NWSL are actually rooted in a deeper women's football culture
."
Recommendations
The report further claims that clubs deliberately obstructed the investigation.
It concludes that abuse and fouls were pervasive and systemic at the highest levels of professional women's football.
Bodies and team officials have repeatedly failed to heed warnings or punish coaches who abused players.
Finally, the report makes a number of recommendations for the future.
It is now up to the leaders to decide which ones will be applied.
In a first reaction, the North American League is committed to carrying out “
systemic
” reforms, and says “
continue to admire the courage
” of the players who have evoked the abuse and aggression experienced.
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