Houston Dash GK coach fired for player fraternization violations - ESPN

The Houston Dash have fired former goalkeeper coach Matt Lampson, an NWSL spokesperson has said, following an investigation into allegations that he had "[crossed] professional boundaries with a Dash player," which violates multiple league policies.

Lampson has been suspended from future employment in the NWSL through the end of the 2024 season «due to these violations and a lack of full cooperation» with the investigation, the spokesperson added.

The investigation was conducted by a third-party attorney engaged jointly by the NWSL and the Houston Dash.

«The investigator determined that Lampson violated the NWSL Anti-Fraternization Policy and NWSL Coach Code of Conduct which require coaches to maintain strict adherence to professional boundaries but did not find a violation of the NWSL Anti-Harassment Policy which is focused on preventing abusive, discriminatory, or harassing behavior,» an NWSL spokesperson said in a statement to ESPN.

The NWSL's Anti-Fraternization policy is not publicly available but has been obtained by ESPN.

«NWSL Supervisors may not engage in, develop, continue, or pursue any romantic and/or sexual relationships or encounters, even when consensual, with any employee (including NWSL players or trialists) over whom they currently have direct or indirect supervisory authority or management influence,» it reads.

«This prohibition includes relationships that pre-date the hiring of such Supervisor or non-Supervisor or pre-date this policy (»Pre-Existing Relationship"). All relationships set forth in this paragraph are strictly prohibited.

The Equalizer was first to report Lampson's alleged relationship with a player and subsequent termination."

Lampson was placed on administrative leave throughout the