Status: 02.10.2021 10:12 a.m.
US women’s sport is again shaken by an abuse scandal: In the professional soccer league NWSL, several coaches are said to have sexually and emotionally abused their protégés. The leader of the league now drew consequences.
The confirmation came via Twitter: The head of the US women’s soccer professional league NWSL, Lisa Baird, is giving up her post, the NWSL had accepted a corresponding offer of resignation from Baird, it said in a statement.
The trigger were new allegations of abuse against a coach of the league: Paul Riley had been fired from his club North Carolina Courage because, according to a report by the portal “The Athletic”, he should have forced at least two soccer players to have sex. Riley denies that. Washington Spirit coach Richie Burke had to take his hat off also because of allegations of abuse – he is said to have insulted and emotionally abused players for years.
The resigned league boss Baird is said to have known of the abuse allegations.
Image: dpa
Sharp criticism from superstar Rapinoe
The Riley case in particular causes great outrage. The league, including its boss Baird, who has now resigned, is said to have known about the allegations of several women for a long time – without acting. US soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe and her world champion colleague Alex Morgan sharply criticized the league: They are jointly responsible for failing to protect their players. “Burn everything down. Let all their heads roll,” demanded Rapinoe on Twitter.
As an initial reaction, the NWSL initially canceled all five weekend games. Baird, still in office at the time, had already taken responsibility for it. “I’m sorry for the pain so many feel,” she said. But the criticism of her did not end. She resigned only hours later.
Associations announce investigations
The US Football Association, which co-founded the women’s league in 2013, announced an investigation into the cases. The world association FIFA also wants to shed light on the processes.