Report finds sexual misconduct and emotional abuse is ‘systemic’ in US women’s soccer

A year-long independent investigation into abuse and sexual misconduct in women’s soccer in the US has delivered a damning verdict.

“Our investigation has revealed a league in which abuse and misconduct-verbal and emotional abuse and sexual misconduct-had become systemic, spanning multiple teams, coaches, and victims,” the report read. “Abuse in the NWSL is rooted in a deeper culture in women’s soccer, beginning in youth leagues, that normalizes verbally abusive coaching and blurs boundaries between coaches and players.”

Examples of misconduct listed in the report included a coach showing a player pornography during a game-film review, and another who coerced players into sexual relationships. The report, headed by independent investigator Sally Q Yates, excoriated the National Women’s Soccer League and warned about potential abuse in girls' soccer.

“This investigation’s findings are heartbreaking and deeply troubling,” said Cindy Parlow, US Soccer’s president and a former player on the US women’s national team. “The abuse described is inexcusable and has no place on any playing field, in any training facility or workplace.

“As the national governing body for our sport, US Soccer is fully committed to doing everything in its power to ensure that all players – at all levels – have a safe and respectful place to learn, grow and compete. We are taking the immediate action that we can today, and will convene leaders in soccer at all levels across the country to collaborate on the recommendations so we can create meaningful, long-lasting change throughout the soccer ecosystem.”

The report found that teams, the NWSL and US Soccer failed to put basic safeguards in place for players.

“Teams, the League, and the Federation not