Explosive US Soccer investigation finds widespread abuse from coaches

Chicago, Illinois - An investigative report commissioned by the US Soccer Federation and released on Monday found players experienced sexual harassment from their coaches.

The US Soccer Federation released its long awaited report on Monday, which found many women athletes experience sexual harassment from their coaches.
The US Soccer Federation released its long awaited report on Monday, which found many women athletes experience sexual harassment from their coaches.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

The more than 150-page report detailed numerous examples of inappropriate advances and emotional and physical abuse by coaches.

The independent commission that carried out the probe described the abuse and misconduct in the league as "systemic" and deeply rooted in US women's soccer, including its youth leagues.

"Teams, the League, and the Federation not only repeatedly failed to respond appropriately when confronted with player reports and evidence of abuse, they also failed to institute basic measures to prevent and address it, even as some leaders privately acknowledged the need for workplace protections," the report states.

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The report also found perpetrators often went unpunished and were able to move to new teams after the abuse, sometimes being whitewashed with sympathetic press releases.

"And no one at the teams, the League, or the Federation demanded better of coaches," the report concluded.

The investigation was commissioned after a wave of allegations last year.

Along with the report, US Soccer has released recommendations for a "commitment to meaningful change and immediate action."

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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