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Cary, North Carolina – In the sixth minute of Wednesday’s game between North Carolina Courage and Louisville City FC, players from both teams abandoned the game and gathered in a circle in solidarity.
The players stood in a circle, arms around each other, in the midfield in solidarity in an extent that extended across the NWSL to show solidarity with Sinead Farrelly, Mana Shim and others who have recently come forward with their allegations of sexual coercion by former Courage coach Paul. Riley.
Wednesday’s game was the first Courage played since Riley’s sacking last week. Riley told WRAL’s Pat Welter on Wednesday, “I will tell my side of the story for sure one day. I do not know when.
A tweet from NC Courage’s official Twitter account simply read “Together”. with a photo of players standing in a moment of silence.
The scandal has affected the entire NWSL, leading players to demand more accountability from the league. WakeMed Soccer Park fans were asking for more, too.
“Tonight we really want to support the players and let them know that we are there for them,” said Jessica Turner, vice president of Uproar Supporters.
“You see this pop-up over and over again, and what will it take to make it stop?” Courage fan Katie Vessell said.
Courage won the game 3-1.
Also in the sixth minute of Wednesday’s game between Gotham FC and Washington Spirit, the players and coaches all left the game. The benches emptied and everyone put their arms in the middle of the field.
The six-minute mark was representative of the six years it took for the accusers to make their voices heard.
“We’re here to support whatever the players need from us right now,” said Mary Pruder, president of the Uproar fan group.
The gestures came after the NWSL Players Association released its list of NWSL demands as promised. These requests mainly relate to transparency in hiring practices, requests for more independent investigations of coaches and league leaders and new protocols.
NC Courage decided not to meet with the media following their game against Louisville on Thursday night, allowing the NWSLPA to speak for them through their demands. They also took a break in the sixth minute of their match as a sign of solidarity.
Here are the requests published by the NWSLPA:
Tonight we are back on the pitch because we will not let our joy be taken away from us. But it’s not as usual.
The teams will stop playing in each of tonight’s matches in the 6th minute. The players will come together in the center circle for one minute in honor of the 6 years it took for Mana, Sinead, and all those who fought too long to be heard. We call on the fans to stay silent with us. During this time, we ask that you remain in this pain and discomfort with us as we consider what we have been asked to sit with for too long. We ask you to consider, in this minute, what is required of each of us to reclaim our league and our sport.
After the game, the media are informed that the players will refuse to answer any questions that do not relate to abuse and systemic changes in the NWSL.
Systemic transformation is not something you say. It’s something you do. We, as players, demand the following:
1. Each coach, general manager, representative on the Board of Governors and owner voluntarily submits to the Players Association’s independent investigation into abusive conduct. They can notify Executive Director Meghann Burke of their agreement to this request before the close of business on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.
2. The scope of the NWSL investigation announced on Sunday evening, October 4, 2021, be expanded to include an investigation of each of the twelve NWSL clubs represented on the Board of Governors to determine if any abuses, whether currently known or unknown, have taken place. at any time.
3. The scope of the NWSL investigation needs to be broadened to determine whether a member of the league office, a NWSL club or someone in a position of power within the NWSL neglected to investigate the abuses. raised by a player or employee at any given time.
4. NWSL adopts an immediate ‘step back protocol’ whereby anyone in positions of power (eg, owner, representative on the board of governors, general manager or management supervisor) at the time a club has hired or left employment. . a coach who has been, is or will be investigated for abuse is suspended from any governance or oversight role within the NWSL pending the conclusion of an independent, effective and immediate investigation. For any club which has taken prompt action to protect players upon the discovery of facts not previously known to the club, immediate disclosure to the players’ association of the circumstances and of the policies or practices implemented to prevent that the same thing does not happen again can be a reason for quickly returning this person to his functions, with the agreement of the Players’ Association.
5. NWSL immediately agrees to release all investigative reports referenced in its October 3, 2021 statement.
6. NWSL immediately agrees to disclose to the Players Association all findings, conclusions and reports obtained pursuant to its statement of October 3, 2021, including, but not limited to, the reopening of the 2015 Paul Riley investigation.
7. NWSL agrees to cooperate with the Players Association’s own independent investigation by written email to Executive Director Meghann Burke before the close of business on Wednesday October 13, 2021.
8. The NWSL accepts that representatives of the Players’ Association have the opportunity to meet potential commissioner candidates and have a meaningful opportunity to be heard in the selection of the next commissioner.
The account has already started. We will not be silent. We will be relentless in our quest for a league that deserves the players who make it up.
#NoMoreSilence
Editor’s Note for Full Disclosure: Capitol Broadcasting Company holds a non-voting interest of less than 5% and no office on the board of directors of NCWFC, LLC (which owns and operates North Carolina Courage).
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