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Novo said club leadership told him to give Holly "the opportunity to step away if he wants to." It really wasn't an investment so much as it was philanthropy." Novo said that shortly before Holly's departure, he communicated concerns about Holly's conduct to Smoot, and that Temares knew that Novo felt Holly should not be coaching elsewhere. Players and staff also reported that staff members engaged in a wide variety of unprofessional behavior that blurred professional boundaries, including staff: (i) drinking alcohol to excess with players; (ii) living in player apartment complexes; (iii) holding meetings with players in hotel rooms; (iv) organizing frequent social interactions with players; and (v) communicating in an unprofessional manner. Revise the Anti-Harassment Policy to Define Retaliation More Clearly In September 2015, Sky Blue, an NWSL club now known as NJ/NY Gotham FC, expressed an interest to the NWSL and the Thorns in speaking with Riley regarding a coaching position. 10 In the USSF Dames Report, a player described Dames calling a player trailer trash and insulting her educational background when she made a mistake. Some within the NWSL held the misconception that SafeSport deals with misconduct against youth athletes and does not investigate misconduct against professional athletes. The NWSL should consider providing resources to support players and staff working to advance the interests of diverse and marginalized groups. a The head coach notified club management and spoke with the assistant coach, reporting to club management that the conversation "didn't go well." Both Gulati and U.S. Soccer CEO Dan Flynn received the NWSL player survey results from 2014, which included information about potential misconduct by both Riley and Dames. Subsequently, on more than one occasion, Holly held doors open for Simon and grabbed her buttocks as she passed by him. 85, In contrast, the NWSL's 2021 Anti-Harassment Policy prohibited certain forms of misconduct even if the conduct was not unlawful. In a news conference after the reports release, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said that neither she nor NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke had prior approval of the report before it was published. At the other end of the spectrum, another club "leaned on the League to run the background checks" or, in the case of its head coach, "did not do that vetting because in the soccer community, [the coach] was such a public and well-known figure." The player who raised a complaint to the Courage, Kaleigh Kurtz, had joined the Courage in 2018 and was initially pleased to be playing for Riley. One player said it felt "like the lid came off" when the pressures of being head coach combined with Holly's personal life. Over the course of this investigation, the Joint Investigative Team conducted approximately 100 interviews of current and former NWSL players, 6 interviews of current and former leadership of the NWSLPA and the USWNTPA, approximately 90 interviews of current and former club staff, 15 interviews of current and former League leadership and staff, and 8 interviews of current and former U.S. Soccer personnel. Paulson said the Thorns's counsel who directed the 2015 investigation was concerned about a lawsuit against the Thorns and told the Thorns that it was the NWSL's responsibility to convey information related to the investigation to other NWSL clubs. Falling between these two approaches, one club consulted with owners at the coach's former club and U.S. Soccer staff during the hiring process, but not with the coach's former players. However, there have historically been no established processes at the NWSL for sharing information about misconduct on any level. The NDA between Holly and Racing Louisville caused various problems, including for investigators trying to obtain evidence. She specifically denied receiving any complaints from Press regarding Dames. Shim later stated, I'm just so grateful for this opportunity to get these bad people out of the League and really shine a light on this issue because it's so prevalent. It has become more apparent that the influence and control coaches hold over players and their careers increase the risk that abuse will occur in the first placeand that if it does, players will fear the repercussions of reporting that abuse. Despite the discussions between U.S. Soccer, the NWSL, and both the Thorns and Courage regarding Riley's unsuitability to coach the USWNT, no steps were taken to remove or prevent him from coaching NWSL players. This Report notes where certain individuals agreed to be interviewed, provided a written response, declined the Joint Investigative Team's invitation, or did not respond. Riley went on to be named head coach for two other NWSL clubs, the Western New York Flash and the Courage, in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Several players reported that following this meeting, Williams began to treat certain players negatively. Another player said she did not know who at her club she would report to if she heard a staff member say something racist, and she was not sure it would be the same person she would go to if she heard a staff member engage in other forms of emotional abuse. That same day, NWSL General Counsel Lisa Levine also resigned. Players suggested that this relationship led to favoritism and improper information-sharing. A text message conversation between Whisler and Dames on June 13, 2018, indicates that Whisler informed Dames of the complaint shortly after speaking to Levine. This Report, prepared by Covington in collaboration with Weil, summarizes that joint investigation and offers recommendations for systemic reform. 115, C. Farrelly felt coerced into having sexual intercourse with Riley based on the dynamic between them and his control over her soccer career. Duffy was also aware there was an ongoing investigation at the Red Stars, but the Joint Investigative Team found no evidence the NWSL requested updates regarding the investigation or requested the final investigative report, and Levine acknowledged that she interpreted the lack of update from Wahlke as a lack of material negative findings concerning Dames. This incident was corroborated by both players and staff members. In November 2012, U.S. Soccer announced that it would manage a new women's professional soccer league, to begin play in 2013. 106, that Holly screamed at and verbally abused players. At the time, the League consisted of eight clubs, including former WPS clubs: the Flash, Boston Breakers, the Red Stars, and Sky Blue FC; and new additions the Spirit, Seattle Reign FC, the Thorns, and FC Kansas City. In August 2021, players at the Current brought concerns to club management about Huw Williams's ineffectiveness as a coach, and his negative and discouraging comments towards players. 4. On other occasions, Riley texted Kurtz about being at bars. Another player on the same club recalled that club leadership gave the players the sense that if their owner was "thrown to the wolves" as a result of a player complaint, the club would cease to exist. Making recommendations on discipline for individuals or organizations was outside the scope of the Joint Investigative Team's work. Farrelly told the Joint Investigative Team that the announcement "solidified" her decision not to tell her own story, noting the hiring was "extra validation that Shim's allegations did not seem to matter. 1. However, the Joint Investigative Team found no evidence that they, or others at U.S. Soccer, shared information or ensured information was shared with the Flash regarding the 2015 allegations or investigative findings against Riley. Players told the Joint Investigative Team that this environment dissuaded them from reporting misconduct. The report makes a number of suggestions on guidelines that can create this stability moving forward for the league. One-on-one or small group socializing for non-soccer purposes between players and individuals with supervisory authority may blur the boundaries between professional and personal relationships, present concerns of improper favoritism, or leave certain players feeling isolated or excluded. D. This one is the result of a joint investigation by the league, the union, and law firms each entity hired that started October of last year, after The Athletic published detailed allegations against former Philadelphia Independence, Portland Thorns, and North Carolina Courage manager Paul Riley. Paulson thought Malik was "making a decision about the likelihood that Mana's complaint would go public," and that the Courage would be less inclined to allow Riley to continue as a coach if another team had terminated him. U.S. Soccer failed to address allegations against Riley and Dames as early as 2014, when it received comments in NWSL player surveys stating that Riley and Dames were verbally and emotionally abusive. Days later, Racing Louisville entered into a severance agreement with Holly, which stated that the club's executive team and Holly could not make any written or verbal communication in any form . Though his candidacy never became serious, the report alleges that then-NWSL president Amanda Duffy and general counsel Lisa Levine worked with NWSL communications staff to prepare a draft public statement (which was never publicly released) related to the handling of sexual harassment complaints and a 2015 investigation by the Thorns when he coached that team. She described the NWSL office as a "very disempowered place to be given the power and authority of U.S. The anti-bullying, anti-harassment, anti-racism, and anti-retaliation trainings should remind players and staff of the reporting channels available to report misconduct, including law enforcement where appropriate. Dames's conduct was also often personal. Malik said that after he spoke to Gulati, he then spoke to Paulson, who told Malik to ask the NWSL for a copy of the 2015 investigative report, rather than providing Malik with a copy of the report himself. On October 14, 2021, the club announced that Baldwin, along with owner Bill Lynch, would sell their shares in the club to Kang. Two weeks later, an NWSL employee raised a concern she had heard from U.S. Soccer employees that the potential hire was "worse than Rory Dames in terms of belittling players" in youth soccer. Plush stated that he did not share additional information because the investigation was ongoing at the time. Ratings: Fofana 8/10 as Chelsea pick up first league win in six, Ten Hag must learn from Mourinho to ensure Man United's Carabao Cup win is just the start, Raul and Valverde are keeping Madrid prodigy Alvaro's feet on the ground, Man United must make every penny count to beat FFP and continue recovery, LIVE Transfer Talk: Bayern still keen on Kane despite new Choupo-Moting contract. "Misconduct against players has occurred at the vast majority of NWSL clubs at various times from the earliest years of the league to the present," the report states, referencing instances of inappropriate sexual remarks to players by staff in positions of power, blurred professional boundaries, and manipulation. Instead, it should require clubs to notify and provide relevant factual information to the NWSL when a club terminates the employment of any staff member, regardless of job title, or takes other disciplinary action due to misconduct. The lead investigator selected by the Thorns was inexperienced in conducting sensitive investigations, and player interviews-particularly Farrelly's-were not of the duration and scope appropriate for an investigation into serious allegations of sexual misconduct. The Joint Investigative Team spoke to multiple current and former players from the Red Stars, ranging from Dames's first season in the NWSL to his last. Just when we thought it was safe to go back in the water, too. On October 10, 2022, the NWSL publicly announced that the Joint Investigative Team found that Cromwell and Greene engaged in retaliation and attempted retaliation, in violation of NWSL policy, against Pride players whom Cromwell and Greene believed had made or supported earlier misconduct allegations against them, and that Reis violated NWSL policy by not fully cooperating with the retaliation investigation. Riley told Shim to delete his text messages because Shim was living with her then-partner, and Shim complied. Paulson told the Joint Investigative Team that Garcia conducted the investigation at the law firm's direction, though the exact nature of the firm's role is unclear because the Thorns withheld much of the relevant information from the Joint Investigative Team, claiming it is protected by the attorney-client privilege and is attorney work product. From simultaneous kickoffs to end the regular season, to relegating the Challenge Cup to On Monday, NJ/NY Gotham FC released their highly anticipated preseason roster. In addition, Additionally, Shim told Garcia that following the incident in which she and Farrelly kissed at Riley's apartment, Farrelly told Shim that this kind of thing happened with Riley. Gorden's boyfriend was prevented from entering an area where he could speak with her, and she said publicly that her white teammates were visiting family in the same area, but were not scrutinized. Seven days after the investigation began, Garcia completed a final investigative report, dated September 23, 2015, which was reviewed by attorneys from the law firm retained by the Thorns. However, Wahlke did not take steps to engage with the League or the Courage about why Riley was still coaching in the NWSL. Ten days before the first game she expected to start, Riley These examples are illustrative and non-exhaustive; the policy makes clear that harassment can also include physical, visual, and written conduct, such as circulating or posting written materials that show hostility toward an individual because of their protected status, including derogatory cartoons, drawings, websites, emails, text messages, gifs, or memes. These partnerships should provide regular formal opportunities to explore concerns and receive feedback from members of these groups. Hendrix informed the Joint Investigative Team that she had subtly tried to prevent Holly from being alone with Simon. Players recalled coaches monitoring the snacks and meals that players ate, forbidding players from eating things like fruit, peanut butter pretzels, and baked chips, and hiding food from players to prevent them from eating, even when the food was provided by the team. Two prior leagues have." 4. Alyse LaHue on Twitter: "We have an opportunity & ability to be leaders in this space in the way that @WNBA players & league have. Wahlke admitted that she did not share the findings and conclusions from the report with the NWSL or the Red Stars because the material was privileged. Holly offered Simon another contract in 2017, which she accepted. 122, The NWSL should consider requiring that the club explain the reasons for any planned player transaction or staff termination during this timeframe, and the NWSL should ask followup questions and investigate further if it suspects retaliation was a motivating factor behind any of the planned player transactions or staff terminations. The Joint Investigative Team also took into account whether conduct complied with professional coaching standards. 4. Another player recalled Holly unexpectedly screaming at a teammate that her poor performance during a practice drill would "prevent [her] from being on the national team, and later in the season asking her to do one-on-one film sessions with him, saying, "I can help you get onto the national team." The following day, on June 14, 2018, Dames texted Whisler that he heard Levine had contacted a player to set up a call, and Whisler promptly responded that he had spoken to the player in question. Players Burke used the N-word in recounting a story to a Black player, made jokes and racially insensitive remarks about Black Lives Matter, and used antisemitic language in comments to the team. Two people, former Gotham FC General Manager Alyse LaHue and former Utah Royals FC head coach Craig Harrington, were handed two-year suspensions from the league. One player recalled Harrington saying, on multiple occasions in front of players, "I need to have sex with someone tonight who's not my wife." At first, she thought the offers were "nice" because she did not "know what the boundaries [were]." ", Investigators for the NWSL/NWSLPA report say they reached out to approximately 780 current and former NWSL players regarding the investigation; about 150 were eventually asked to share their experiences. As for the players, there is a hope that with this report finally coming out, all eyes can turn toward the future of the league. Simon felt scared and physically intimidated. The NWSL should train all League and club staff designated to receive complaints and other club leaders, including coaches, on how to respond to complaints of misconduct and on investigative best practices. In other instances, players were told they could raise concerns to club management or ownership but feared doing so due to close relationships between coaching staff and club management, or because their coach also served as general manager. Club policies should also inform individuals of the reporting channels listed in the NWSL Anti-Harassment Policy and should remind club staff of their obligation to report potential policy violations to the NWSL HR Office or NWSL General Counsel. While the League itself cannot dictate changes to settings outside its purview, such as youth soccer or other leagues, it can implement reforms to the policies and practices within its control, which will in turn allow the League to serve as a standard-bearer and blueprint for other institutions. To address these concerns, the League has recently taken steps to create more effective reporting channels, including by setting up an anonymous hotline and listing reporting channels in the 2022 Anti-Harassment Policy. Among the anecdotes is one about a time in 2019 when Riley was a potential candidate to succeed Jill Ellis as U.S. womens national team manager. Mental Health First Aid training tailored toward sport professionals could help players and staff develop the skills to recognize and respond to players navigating mental health challenges. Whisler himself admitted that the club had an inadequate HR person and the person who served as "HR lead for the club at the time scare[d] people, exacerbating these problems. . Holly also asked Simon to send him suggestive pictures of herself, including a request for a picture of her in his boxers. According to multiple players and club staff, Riley repeatedly made negative comments about the relationship to other players on the team, including remarks that Farrelly was not truly a lesbian and that Farrelly's then-partner was a "predator." The Report concludes with systemic recommendations for the NWSL and its member clubs. The League should require that any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provisions allow the League and clubs to share information consistent with disclosure requirements set forth in the AntiHarassment Policy and any other requirements that may be implemented to promote transparency and player safety. Moreover, leadership at the Thorns made comments favorable to Riley, which further served to obfuscate the misconduct. One player noted "bystander training" for players could be helpful so that players could help other players experiencing misconduct. The NWSL should ensure this training is mandated for all volunteers who regularly interact with players, including team chaplains and volunteer coaches. The NWSL should share with all clubs when a club employee is removed from a club due to a finding of misconduct under the Anti-Harassment Policy. At that time, Levine provided Duffy a copy of the Thorns's 2015 investigative report, as well as supporting texts and emails. NWSL Where necessary to gather additional facts, the NWSLPA further followed up with some players directly, requesting they share their experiences with the Joint Investigative Team. Third, the Joint Investigative Team found that the Thorns, the NWSL, and U.S. Soccer failed on numerous occasions to fully and clearly communicate the allegations and findings against Riley to other NWSL clubs that subsequently hired Riley. Aline Reis did not fully cooperate with the retaliation investigation, including by pressuring players to share favorable information with investigators. Accounts differ about what happened next. Don't ever leave me." Gulati said that he generally tells people who are considering hiring candidates to call former employers, but in this case, he was also specifically hoping that Malik would contact the Thorns. This trial and error process is what highlights need and in turn creates important policies and guidelines for stability in our infrastructure, Zerboni told Equalizer. Some players and club staff explained that the apology was requested because players had violated COVID-19 protocols in the stands. 1. 18, Riley's subsequent hiring by the Flash would not speak with the Joint Investigative Team, including the Thorns's HR director who conducted the investigation, the former Flash vice president, and Riley himself. Numerous individuals reported that Cromwell and Greene stopped speaking to players who they believed had supported the allegations under investigation and who did not apologize to Cromwell and Greene for their participation in the March 2022 investigation. However, even with that knowledge and after reviewing the findingswhich included that 70% of players "reported concerning behaviors that are consistent with the generally accepted definition of emotional abuse in sport and felt Dames creat[ed] an environment of fear [and] retaliation"Whisler contemplated keeping Dames involved with the Red Stars in a non-player-facing role, such as a sporting director or draft consultant. Another player explained, "We are still in a growing league, and that's not lost on players." The two most senior executives in the League's front office, Commissioner Lisa Baird and General Counsel Lisa Levine, resigned. . In response to player requests for the improvement of conditions and resources at clubs, players were often reminded that they ought to be grateful, even when players sought benefits or allowances included in their contracts. Soccer." Despite having knowledge of Holly's relationship with Pearce Rampone, and of its negative impact on players at Sky Blue, no one at the club spoke to former Sky Blue players to ask for their perspective on Holly. Long pointed to the fact that "he wasn't winning" as the reason for the change in Williams's role.

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