Paul Riley was sacked by the North Carolina Courage. (www.AndyMead/YCJPhoto)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

In wake of the sexual coercion allegations reported Thursday morning, the North Carolina Courage has fired head coach Paul Riley.

National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Lisa Baird, who made the announcement Thursday afternoon, said the league was reporting the “allegations to the US Center for SafeSport for investigation.”

“A safe and secure work environment is a top priority for the league and its collective ownership,” Baird said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “The league has in place a comprehensive anti-harassment/anti-discrimination policy.”

On Thursday night, U.S. Soccer. announced it has suspended Riley’s coaching license.

Baird added that the league has mandated that league and team staff who regularly interact with players participate in training conducted by the US Center for SafeSport, and is further mandating background checks and additional screening for those same individuals.

“We are implementing a new anonymous reporting process, whereby players, team and league staff may text concerns to the league, which will be promptly investigated,” she added. “We ask our players and all associated with the league to raise their concerns to us, as we continue to make our league a safe, positive, and respectful environment for our players, clubs, staff, and fans.”

Baird said that she was “was shocked and disgusted to read the new allegations reported in The Athletic this morning. The league, in concert with the North Carolina Courage, has reacted swiftly in response to these new allegations, and former head coach Paul Riley has been terminated.”

Addressing Riley’s termination, the Courage said, in a statement, that it had given Riley the boot “following very serious allegations of misconduct.”

“The Courage support the players who have come forward and we commend them for bravely sharing their sotries,” the statement said. “The North Carolina Football Club is united together in our commitment to creating a safe, positive, and respectful environment, not only within our club but across the legaue and our great sport.”

Sean Nahas, a former standout in the Long Island Junior Soccer League, was named interim North Carolina coach for the remainder of the season.

In a statement released Thursday night, U.S. Soccer said that it was “deeply disturbed by the recent reports of misconduct in the NWSL. The abusive behavior described by the courageous athletes who have come forward is repulsive, unacceptable and has zero place in soccer or society.

“These are serious allegations and these athletes – and all the players in the NWSL – have our unequivocal support. U.S. Soccer is in communication with the NWSL as they review this matter and will work with them to ensure meaningful steps are taken to ensure a safe and supportive environment across the league.”

On Thursday morning, The Athletic reported that had been accused of sexual coercion by former players he has coached on several women’s teams. Those players included Sinead Farrelly, Mana Shim and Kaiya McCullough.

According to a story by Meg Linehan, one of the players, Sinead Farrelly played for Riley on the Philadelphia Independence, New York fury and Portland Thorns. Farrelly said she “felt under his control.”

In the story that was posted Thursday, Farrelly related several incidents in which she felt she was coerced into having sex with her coach.

Shim, another former Portland player, added that “I felt from the beginning like I owed him.”

Here is a link to The Athletic story:

https://theathletic.com/2857633/2021/09/30/this-guy-has-a-pattern-amid-institutional-failure-former-nwsl-players-accuse-prominent-coach-of-sexual-coercion/

Riley has strong ties to Long Island, most recently as director of soccer with the Albertson Soccer Club.

The Athletic reported that Riley, through an email, responded to 23 questions from The Athletic about the alleged incidents. In the email, he said that the majority of the allegations were “completely untrue.”

“I have never had sex with, or made sexual advances towards these players,” he wrote.

The NWSL Players Association issued a statement about systemic abuse in the NWSL:

“We, the players of the NWSL, stand with Sinead Farrelly, Mana Shim, Kaiya McCullough, and each of the players who have brought their stories into the light – both known and unknown. Words cannot adequately capture our anger, pain, sadness, and disappointment.

“To the players who suffer in silence, know that the Players Association holds a safe space for you. We stand ready to confidentially offer you resources and support. You are not alone.

“We refuse to be silent any longer. Our commitment as players is to speak truth to power. We will no longer be complicit in a culture of silence that has enabled abuse and exploitation in our league and in our sport.

“The very lack of basic and fundamental protections that ensure dignity at work are part of what has led to stories like those that have come out this season. NWSL and its Clubs must act swiftly to implement changes that would protect current and future players. The opportunity to do this is right now in our first contract negotiation. In the face of systemic abuse, players demand greater control over their lives and careers.”

The NWSLPA also asked for the NWSL disclose how Paul Riley was hired within the league after departing from another club subsequent to an investigation into abusive conduct during the bargaining session scheduled for Friday.

Riley, 57, is one of the most successful coaches in women’s professional soccer and was a candidate for the U.S. women’s national team and England national side positions. He guided the Western New York Flash to the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League crown and the Courage to the 2018 and 2019 titles. He also was named the Women’s Professional Soccer coach of the year in the 2011 and earned similar NWSL honors in 2017 and 2018.

A native of England, Riley starred at Adelphi University and went on to become captain of the Long Island Rough Riders, who won the 1995 U.S. Interregional Soccer League crown. He also directed the Rough Riders to the USL Pro League title in 2002.

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.