National Women's Soccer League: Second report finds widespread ongoing misconduct
- Published
NWSL players pause matches in show of solidarity
A second report has found widespread, ongoing misconduct in the United States' top-flight National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
A joint investigation unit for the NWSL and its players association (NWSLPA) released the findings on Wednesday.
The unit received reports of ongoing misconduct at "more than half" of NWSL clubs during the 14-month inquiry.
The findings were broadly in line with the results of another independent inquiry announced in October.
After the second report, external was released on Wednesday, Houston Dash apologised to their players past and present affected by alleged misconduct by head coach James Clarkson and Vera Pauw, who was in charge of the team in 2018.
Clarkson was suspended in April and the club say they will not renew his contract after the report said he "demonstrated insensitivity towards players' mental health in his interactions with them".
The report said Pauw, who is now in charge of the Republic of Ireland women's team, "shamed players for their weight and attempted to exert excessive control over their eating habits".
The report added that Pauw refused to co-operate with the investigation but provided "a written denial of what she suspected were the allegations against her".
'The FAI continues to support Vera and her team'
A Football Association of Ireland statement said it was "aware of an NWSL/NWSLPA joint report into historical events within its own League in which Republic of Ireland women's national team manager Vera Pauw has been referenced".
"Neither the FAI or Vera had sight of this report before it was published and we note that Vera has already expressed her views to the authors of the report," added the FAI statement.
"The FAI continues to support Vera and her team as they prepare for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023."
Sally Yates and King & Spalding LLP were appointed by US Soccer to produce that report, which found the NWSL and US Soccer failed to put in place "basic measures" to safeguard players.
Covington & Burling LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP formed the investigative team for the latest inquiry and their report read:, external "The underlying culture of the NWSL created fertile ground for misconduct to go unreported.
"Institutions meant to investigate and address misconduct failed to do so effectively.
"US Soccer, the league, and individual clubs were not clear on which entity held the ultimate responsibility for establishing and enforcing policies and practices relating to misconduct."
US Soccer said in a statement that it was "carefully reviewing the report", adding: "We are grateful to the NWSL and NWSLPA for their important efforts to understand the factors that led to abuse in women's professional soccer and to identify meaningful steps to ensure player safety moving forward.
"US Soccer has closely communicated and co-operated with the NWSL and NWSLPA throughout their investigation. We share a common goal of ensuring a safe, healthy environment for players."
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, who took over in April, said the joint investigation showed the league systematically failed to protect players.
"They deserve, at a minimum, a safe and secure environment to participate at the highest level in a sport they love," she said in a statement., external
"We are committed to making all the necessary changes to create a safe and positive environment for our players, staff and fans."
The NWSL said it planned to make several changes, including hiring a player safety officer and providing training for players and coaches, along with team and league staff.