NWSL players call for Chicago Red Stars owner to sell team after reports of misconduct

Players for the Chicago Red Stars have called on owner Arnim Whisler to sell his stake in the team following a disturbing report into misconduct in the National Women's Soccer League.

"We are united with the Board of Directors in their decision to remove Whisler from the organization entirely and look forward to finding a new majority owner who can help us realize the full potential that we as players always knew existed for this club," the players' statement said.

The NWSL also announced Monday that it is terminating the contracts of Orlando Pride coach Amanda Cromwell and assistant Sam Greene following a league investigation into verbal abuse, favouritism and retaliation within the club. Cromwell and Greene had been on administrative leave since June.

Last week, former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Q. Yates released the report into allegations of abuse in the NWSL. Yates and the law firm King & Spaulding were retained by U.S. Soccer to investigate those claims.

Statement From Orlando Pride Chairman Mark Wilf (1/2) <a href="https://t.co/YDslGaPG1x">pic.twitter.com/YDslGaPG1x</a>

The investigation found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct are systemic in the league.

"In well over 200 interviews, we heard report after report of relentless, degrading tirades; manipulation that was about power, not improving performance; and retaliation against those who attempted to come forward," Yates wrote in her report. "Even more disturbing were the stories of sexual misconduct. Players described a pattern of sexually charged comments, unwanted sexual advances and sexual touching, and coercive sexual intercourse."

Chicago's head coach, Rory Dames, resigned following the 2021 season when the Washington Post published allegations