OL Reign pledges to ‘keep players safe on and off the field’ after NWSL, US Soccer investigation
Teams and players across the National Women’s Soccer League are speaking out after a third-party investigation found systemic abuse and misconduct, including sexual misconduct, in the league.
A report detailing the investigation by former acting Attorney General Sally Yates was released on Monday and said that abusive coaches were able to move from team to team, despite allegations against them.
Becky Sauerbrunn, the captain of the U.S. women’s national team, who is in her 10th year with the NWSL and her third season with the Portland Thorns, is one of the veteran players who is demanding immediate changes.
In a press conference Tuesday, she called out the league and U.S. Soccer for their lack of action, and failure to protect players, since allegations were first revealed over a year ago.
“The players are not doing well. We are horrified and heartbroken and frustrated and exhausted and really, really angry,” said Sauerbrunn.
Sitting next to Sauerbrunn during the press conference was Alana Cook, who plays in the national league for Seattle’s OL Reign.
Last year, five of the league’s 10 coaches were fired or chose to resign, including former OL Reign coach Farid Benstiti, who abruptly resigned in July 2021.
It was later revealed that Benstiti was asked to resign after allegedly making abusive comments to players, which are also detailed in Yates’ report.
OL Reign released a statement on Tuesday in support of those who spoke up during the investigation:
“OL Reign commends the courage shown by every individual who came forward to share their experiences during the Sally Yates investigation and in the ESPN documentary. Their bravery has activated necessary systemic changes to propel our league forward in progress and healing.
Though this is just the beginning and there is still much work to do, we must acknowledge the hard truths about the history of inequities that have existed within our sport that allowed these failures to occur. We would like to recognize the pain, anxiety and anguish that these investigations and findings have caused to players, staff, supporters and everyone involved.
It is vital for us to actively work to dismantle a system that is in direct opposition to our values. Our players deserve nothing less.
OL Reign looks forward to the publication of the report of the independent NWSL/NWSLPA joint investigation and, in collaboration with the NWSL, is committed to putting in place the people, policies, and processes to keep our players safe on and off the field.
We know it will take a unified effort among all owners, league personnel and team staff, in collaboration with the Players Association, to ensure systemic progress is made.
Alongside the NWSL and NWSLPA, we encourage any individual with information relating to discrimination, harassment, abuse, retaliation or bullying towards players in the league, to contact NWSL_Investigation@cov.com, or to reach out to the NWSL or NWSLPA directly, or through any other club and league reporting channels.”
Statement from OL Reign
The owners of the Portland Thorns and Chicago Red Stars have each said they would step back from their respective clubs, a move NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman says she supports.
The Portland Timbers and Thorns FC also announced on Wednesday that Gavin Wilkinson, president of soccer, and Mike Golub, president of business, have been relieved of their duties with both clubs.
Berman says the league is committed to “implementing reform and disciplinary action” following the Yates report, as well as other ongoing investigations.
“While it will take time, we are fully prepared to take the necessary steps to protect the health and safety of our players, staff and other stakeholders in order to create the League that our players, fans, partners and staff deserve and expect,” said Berman. “We continue to encourage all parties to engage with the Joint Investigative Team with any information relating to discrimination, harassment, abuse, retaliation or bullying towards players in the league.”
The NWSL and National Women’s Soccer League Players Association’s joint investigative team is continuing to work on its own investigation and is expected to release its report by the end of the year.
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