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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. Later in the week, a detailed report on the sexual misconduct of North Carolina Courage 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 manager Reign Farid Benstiti, revealing that the resignation was brought in light of a formal complaint of verbal abuse filed by a player.
Lisa Baird becomes NWSL Commissioner
Late Friday evening after the cancellation of the matches for the weekend, report from The Athletic detailed that Commissioner Lisa Baird and General Counsel Lisa Levine have been removed from their posts. The league later announced that Baird’s resignation was received and accepted. There is no update on the existence of an Interim Commissioner.
The news comes alongside an announcement from US Soccer that it 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.
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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