Vera Pauw: Elite sport in the USA has a huge problem

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw claimed "elite sport in the USA has a huge problem" as she reflected on the sanctions handed down to her by the US National Women's Soccer League [NWSL].

Last month the NWSL sanctioned several coaches, including Pauw, as part of their corrective action in response to the findings of the Joint Investigative Report.

Pauw is among eight individuals whose future employment with the NWSL is conditional on her acknowledging misconduct, participating in training, and demonstrating a sincere commitment to correcting behaviour.

In December Pauw was named in the report, which alleged that while manager of Houston Dash from November 2017 to September 2018 she had shamed players for their weight and attempted to exert excessive control over their eating habits. She was emphatically denied the allegations.

When asked about her reaction to the NWSL sanctions, Pauw replied: "I've been in contact with a lawyer, I don't want to say too much because I have moved on and he has, it is important to know, 215 cases from elite female coaches that have lost their jobs or being cancelled for unreasonable situations and lies.

"Every single coach in those 215 cases have experienced the same thing as I do now. I'm the most visible coach because I’m international.

"Elite sport in the USA has a huge problem.

"Two hundred and fifteen cases like mine, all in the US, elite female coaches from different sports: university, college level, professional level. I think education brings us more than fighting.

"In the meantime I have got many letters from people, players and coaches and staff who have written to me to support me. I have grown into the situation. It's like, I know where I am, there is great safety in the truth and