U.S. Soccer has announced that Sally Q. Yates’ investigation into into allegations of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in women’s professional soccer is nearing a close.
The organization said it will publish the “full report” by early October, it said on Monday night.
“Last October, U.S. Soccer retained Sally Q. Yates of King & Spalding LLP to lead an independent investigation into allegations of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in women’s professional soccer,” U.S. Soccer said in a statement. “That investigation is nearing its conclusion. U.S. Soccer will publish the full report by early October, following the completion of the investigation.”
On Oct. 3, 2021, former Acting Attorney General Sally Q. Yates of King & Spalding LLP was appointed by U.S. Soccer to lead an independent investigation into the aforementioned allegations.
Yates, who served as acting AG for 10 days early in the Trump administration, is a former U.S. Attorney and Deputy Attorney General of the United States who has extensive experience conducting complex and highly sensitive investigations.
The National Women’s Soccer League has rocked and been under great scrutiny over the past several days in the wake of serious allegations that former North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley had used sexual coercion on at least three of his players, The Athletic reported. Riley was fired as coach.
“U.S. Soccer takes seriously its responsibility to vigorously investigate the abhorrent conduct reported, gain a full and frank understanding of the factors that allowed it to happen and take meaningful steps to prevent this from happening in the future,” the federation said in a statement.
Yates’ investigation was given full autonomy, access and the necessary resources to follow the facts and evidence wherever they may lead, U.S. Soccer said last year.
