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NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird and general counsel Lisa Levine have been ousted by the league’s board of directors, according to multiple sources. The moves were communicated to league players, according to multiple sources, and come a day after a report from Athleticism Detailed charges of sexual coercion against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley.
It is not yet clear who could take over in which role or the other.
“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.” , said Commissioner Lisa Baird. before his ouster, in a statement that also included news that this weekend’s matches would not be played.
“Recognizing this trauma, we have decided not to go into the field this weekend to give everyone a space for reflection,” the statement continued.
“Business as usual is not our concern at the moment. Our whole league has a lot of healing to do, and our players deserve so much better. We have made this decision in conjunction with our players’ association and this break will be the moment. first step as we collectively work to transform the culture of this league, something that is long overdue. ”
The developments come in response to AthleticismThe report of former players accusing Riley of improper conduct that spanned three teams and three leagues, as of 2011. Hours after the story came out, Courage fired Riley for his “very serious allegations of misconduct “.
After the news broke on Thursday, players across the league criticized the NWSL’s response, saying the league had been made aware of Riley’s conduct on multiple occasions and let its players down.
“Never once in all this time has the right person been protected,” OL Reign and USWNT star Megan Rapinoe said in a tweet.
“The league has been made aware of these allegations on several occasions and has repeatedly refused to investigate the allegations,” wrote Alex Morgan of Orlando Pride. “The league must accept responsibility for a process that has failed to protect its own players from this abuse.”
To learn more about the allegations against Riley, you can read Athleticism full story here.
Follow our blog live as we gather feedback and news related to the revelations shared in this story.
(Photo: Abbie Parr / Getty Images)
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