NWSL calls off weekend games after sexual misconduct allegations against coach
CBC
The National Women's Soccer League will not play the games scheduled for this weekend as it deals with the fallout from allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against a former coach.
North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley was fired by the team following a report in The Athletic that detailed the alleged misconduct, which included claims by two former players of sexual coercion.
The NWSL did not specify Friday whether the games were cancelled or postponed. In a statement, league commissioner Lisa Baird said the decision was made with the NWSL players' association.
"This week, and much of this season, has been incredibly traumatic for our players and staff, and I take full responsibility for the role I have played. I am so sorry for the pain so many are feeling," said Baird, who came to the NWSL in early 2020. "Recognizing that trauma, we have decided not to take the field this weekend to give everyone some space to reflect. Business as usual isn't our concern right now. Our entire league has a great deal of healing to do, and our players deserve so much better."
U.S. Soccer suspended Riley's coaching license following The Athletic's report, in which former NWSL players Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim recounted their experiences with Riley.
The alleged harassment of Farrelly started in 2011 when she was a player with the Philadelphia Independence of the now-defunct Women's Professional Soccer league.
She told the website the abuse continued when Farrelly was with the Portland Thorns. Shim, a former Thorns player, also allegedly experienced harassment. The Thorns said Thursday that the team investigated claims about Riley and passed those on to the league when he was dismissed.