"US Women's Soccer Sexual Harassment 'Bad Practice'... Familiar from Youth Leagues"

Sally Yates, former U.S. Deputy Attorney General, who conducted the investigation into sexual harassment in U.S. women's soccer
[Photo by AP News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] A report has revealed that sexual harassment is deeply rooted as a harmful practice within U.S. women's soccer. The findings came after a large-scale investigation was conducted following a series of sexual misconduct scandals last year, showing that such harmful practices persisted from youth leagues onward, to the extent that sexual harassment was not even perceived as a problem due to systemic issues.

On the 3rd (local time), Bloomberg News and others reported that the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) released the results of an investigation into sexual harassment issues within women's soccer. The report, based on over 200 interviews and the review of 89,000 documents, confirmed that habitual sexual harassment and abuse occurred between coaches and players throughout the U.S. women's soccer teams.

The investigation team stated in the report, "As a result, coaches who committed abusive acts moved from team to team, and these acts were concealed," adding that the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and USSF, which should have addressed these issues, remained silent. They pointed out, "Players testified about sexual remarks, unwanted sexual contact, and forced sexual relations."

For example, Paul Riley, former head coach of the NWSL powerhouse North Carolina Courage, sexually approached Melina Shim, a team member, for several months and demoted her to the bench after she rejected him. In the case of former Louisville coach Christie Holly, it was confirmed that she individually called out Erin Simon, a team member, and forcibly harassed her. Simon testified, "Still, too many players suffer in silence," adding, "It is because of the fear that no one will help. I know this very well because I felt the same way."

The investigation team added, "There was a deeply rooted culture throughout women's soccer, starting from youth leagues, that normalized sexual harassment among players and coaches," and "As a result, in professional teams, the very awareness that such acts constitute harassment disappeared."

Last year, the NWSL was embroiled in controversy as sexual misconduct allegations surfaced repeatedly during the season, leading to the cancellation of some matches. Following players' disclosures, three coaches, including Riley, were consecutively dismissed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.