Brandon University apologizes after report finds soccer coach sexually harassed players

Brandon University is apologizing to students who experienced abuse and sexual harassment while taking part in its women's soccer program, and says it plans to conduct a full review of its sports programs. 

The apology comes after the Winnipeg Free Press reported earlier this week that an external investigation found soccer coach Jesse Roziere repeatedly abused his position of power over young female athletes, and demonstrated a pattern of sexually harassing behaviour. 

A copy of the report obtained by CBC News says the players first brought concerns forward to the university's athletic director about how Roziere was treating them in the fall of 2020. 

However, university officials decided not to remove him as coach. After pushing to have their concerns addressed for months, the players eventually went to the media, after which the university retained lawyer Pamela Clarke to conduct an investigation into the allegations. 

The report says the players experienced a pattern of sexual and personal harassment from Roziere, including receiving a sexually suggestive video from him, feeling pressured to Snapchat with him or else be retaliated against, getting unsolicited messages from him when he was intoxicated, and being berated by him in front of their teammates. 

One player says Roziere asked her out on a date while he was on the women's team coaching staff, and later kissed her against her will while they were at the same bar. 

The player who raised the complaints said they all ended up quitting the team because the treatment became intolerable, and that the entire experience has been incredibly damaging. 

The report says Roziere denied the allegations, and accused the players of co-ordinating their stories to make