In wake of report, Canada Soccer committed to strengthening safe-sport culture, new secretary general says

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Canada Soccer's secretary general Earl Cochrane didn't mince his words while reacting to a 125-page report completed by McLaren Global Sport Solutions, highlighting systemic issues relating to the culture and governance within the national sport organization 14 years ago.

The report was commissioned by Canada Soccer.

Cochrane says he understands fully what's at stake moving forward when there are gaps in the organization's framework.

"Everything we're talking about involves real people and real lives. All of the decisions and mistakes have consequences. I acknowledge the impact all of these things have had on athletes. That's the overarching thing here," Cochrane told CBC Sports.

"We're going to listen to what was said about us. What happened in 2008. But it's important to recognize we're not the same organization that we were back then." 

Some of Cochrane's best moments and friends in life have come through sport. He says in the current climate that love of sport for many has been eroding — something he takes personally and wants to change. 

"Sport has given me so much in my life. I grew up in a family with a single mom. Me, my brother, her. It gave me an extended family. Coaches were parental-like figures to me. The teammates I grew up with were like brothers," Cochrane said. 

"That's the world I grew up in. I owe a lot to sports. And I think quite frankly that's what's at stake here. We have responsibilities as governing bodies and leaders within those governing bodies to create environments like that."

The independent report, released Thursday, looked into Canada Soccer's handling of harassment allegations made against Bob Birarda in