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The National Women’s Football League canceled games this weekend after a brutal week of negative headlines about toxic environments and power imbalances between clubs. The league announced the decision on Friday.
“The National Women’s Football League announced today that given the gravity of last week’s events, matches scheduled for this weekend will not take place,” the statement said.
The announcement comes after a serious week for the league that began with the conclusion of the Washington Spirit investigations that led to the dismissal of then-head coach Richie Burke. A report later in the week detailed the sexual misconduct of North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley resulting from the power imbalance between him and his players. Riley was then fired based on the allegations against him.
Separate additional reports also revealed more details of the resignation of former OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti, revealing that the resignation was brought in light of an official complaint of verbal abuse filed by a player. .
Lisa Baird as NWSL Commissioner?
Late Friday night as games were called off for the weekend, reports from The Athletic reported that Commissioner Lisa Baird and General Counsel Lisa Levine were ousted from their posts. No official announcement has been made by the league yet.
The news comes alongside an announcement from US Soccer that they will be investigating the NWSL in light of recent reports of abusive environments. US Soccer was the managing partner of NWSL until 2019.
The players’ association reacts to events
The NWSL Players Association issued a statement after the allegations against Riley were published, providing resources for former, current and future players, including an anonymous hotline for players to report abuse and access a sports psychologist if needed.
The players’ union also released a schedule to the league with a list of requests regarding recent news of Riley’s misconduct, ahead of the now postponed games.
“We, as players, demand the following:
- NWSL opened an independent investigation into the allegations published by The Athletic this morning in accordance with the Safe Work Environment Anti-Harassment Policy by 12:00 p.m. EST on Friday, October 1, 2021.
- Any league or club stand that is accused of conduct, regardless of when it occurred, that violates the current anti-harassment policy for a safe work environment or any commissioned reporter who has not reported the investigation alleged benchmark is immediately suspended, pending the results of the above-mentioned investigation, and in any event no later than 12:00 p.m. EST on Friday, October 1, 2021.
- NWSL reveals how Paul Riley was hired into the NWSL after leaving another NWSL club following an investigation into abusive conduct at the bargaining session scheduled for Friday, October 1, 2021. “
The organization issued the following statement regarding the decision not to play the matches.
These developments all occur as the league and the NWSLPA are currently in negotiations on what would be the first-ever CBA for NWSL players.
NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird made the following statement in light of the temporary game cancellations on Friday afternoon:
“This week, and much of this season, has been incredibly traumatic for our players and staff, and I take full responsibility for the role I have played. I am so sorry for the pain that many are feeling. Recognizing this trauma, we decided not to go to the field this weekend to give everyone some room to think. Business as usual is not our concern at the moment. Our whole league has a lot. healing to be done, and our players deserve so much better. We made this decision in collaboration with our player association and this break will be the first step as we collectively work to transform the culture of this league, something that is long overdue. since a long time.”
The schedule break is the first of its kind in league history and there is no current schedule for rescheduling games. An international break in October might be the only time games could be rescheduled, as the league is in the final five weeks of its regular season.
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