Two-time world champion Becky Sauerbrunn, 37, taking part in a video conference from London, where the United States are preparing for a friendly against England on Friday, said the players were “horrified and heartbroken”the day after the publication of the conclusions of the independent investigation, led by the former Attorney General of the United States, Sally Yates.
The 172-page report includes interviews with more than 200 North American League (NWSL) players and details multiple coaches’ abuses, manipulation, bullying and retaliation against players. Facts that include “sexual comments, advances, unwanted touching and forced sex” within the Professional Championship and even beyond, in structures dedicated to young people.
‘Every American football official who failed to protect players should be fired’
“Every owner, every officer, and every official in American football who failed in their duty to the players, who failed to protect the players, who hid behind legal considerations, and who did not fully participate in these investigations should be returned”said Sauerbrunn.
The owner of the Sauerbrunn club implicated
Merritt Paulson, owner of Sauerbrunn club the Portland Thorns, is accused in the Yates report, along with other club officials, of turning a blind eye to abuse by Paul Riley, the team’s former coach .
When pressed on whether Paulson should be on the list of team owners she believes should be banned from the League, Sauerbrunn replied: “This includes anyone who has continued to repeatedly disappoint players, who have not taken their concerns seriously, who have not conveyed information correctly, who have not participated in investigations. All. »
Paulson, who is also the owner of the North American Soccer League (MLS) franchise Portland Timbers, announced on Tuesday that he is stepping down as manager of the Thorns pending the conclusion of a separate investigation. by the NWSL in conjunction with the players’ union.
