4 former NWSL coaches are banned permanently following an abuse investigation

https://www.npr.org/2023/01/10/ [login to see] /nwsl-abuse-coaches-banned-permanently-riley-dames-burke-holly
The National Women's Soccer League announced permanent bans for four coaches and sanctions for eight more employees on Monday after an investigation found widespread, systemic misconduct and abuse.

Former coaches Paul Riley of the Portland Thorns and the North Carolina Courage, Rory Dames of the Chicago Red Stars, Richie Burke of the Washington Spirit, and Christy Holly of Racing Louisville were permanently banned.

Riley and Holly engaged in sexual misconduct and verbal abuse across multiple teams, and Dames and Burke engaged in emotional abuse and made racist and sexist remarks to players, according to the report jointly released by NWSL and its players association last month detailing the findings of their joint investigation.

Former Utah Royals coach Craig Harrington and former Gotham general manager Alyse LaHue were also suspended from the NWSL for two years.

"The league will continue to prioritize implementing and enhancing the policies, programs and systems that put the health and safety of our players first," commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement Monday.