What are the allegations against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley. How did the scandal unfold in women’s soccer. What actions were taken by the NWSL and involved clubs. How did this impact the sport and player safety.
The Emergence of Serious Allegations Against Paul Riley
In September 2021, the soccer world was rocked by explosive allegations against Paul Riley, then-coach of the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Former players came forward with accusations of sexual coercion spanning multiple teams and leagues since 2010, as reported by The Athletic. These allegations painted a disturbing picture of abuse of power and inappropriate behavior in women’s professional soccer.
Key Accusers and Their Claims
Two players were at the forefront of the accusations against Riley:
- Sinead Farrelly, a midfielder who played under Riley with three different teams
- Meleana “Mana” Shim, who played for Riley with the Portland Thorns
Farrelly’s allegations date back to 2011, describing a pattern of behavior where Riley would socialize with players at bars, leading to situations where personal boundaries were crossed. She recounted an incident after a 2011 WPS final where she felt “claimed” by Riley, culminating in what she described as coerced sexual activity in his hotel room.
The Extent of Riley’s Alleged Misconduct
The accusations against Paul Riley were not isolated incidents but part of a reported pattern of behavior that spanned years and multiple teams. How extensive were these allegations?
- Allegations spanned from 2010 to at least 2015
- Involved teams in multiple leagues, including WPS, NWSL, and semi-professional teams
- Included claims of sexual coercion, inappropriate comments, and abuse of power
Farrelly’s experiences allegedly continued during the offseason and when she played for Riley’s semi-pro team in Long Island in 2012. The impact on players was significant, with Farrelly describing mental and emotional haunting that affected her performance, even leading to a collapse during a game in July 2014.
The “Social Culture” Cultivated by Riley
A key aspect of the allegations against Riley was the social environment he reportedly fostered within his teams. How did this contribute to the alleged misconduct?
According to players, Riley created a hierarchy where he held significant authority over the team’s social dynamics. An anonymous player who played for Riley in Portland stated, “He really commands the kind of social culture he wants on the team. He has the authority. People don’t really push him on it, everyone accepts that just how he is. You’re trying to survive in his hierarchy.”
This culture allegedly involved regular drinking with players, blurring professional boundaries, and creating situations where players felt pressured to participate in social activities with their coach.
The Portland Thorns Era and Mana Shim’s Experience
The allegations against Riley extended to his time with the Portland Thorns, where Mana Shim became entangled in the social culture he had cultivated. Shim’s experiences provide insight into how Riley’s alleged behavior impacted players beyond just Farrelly.
Shim reported that Riley began texting her more frequently and requested private film-watching sessions, sometimes in his apartment or hotel room. The situation escalated after a team outing to a bar, where Shim and Farrelly ended up in Riley’s apartment. There, he allegedly offered them more alcohol and pressured them to kiss each other, using team punishments as leverage.
The 2015 Complaint and Its Aftermath
In 2015, with the help of teammate Alex Morgan, Shim took action by emailing a complaint to Thorns owner Merritt Paulson and HR director Nancy Garcia Ford. What happened next?
- Garcia Ford met with Shim about her complaint
- Shim was told she didn’t have a legal claim due to lack of corroborating evidence
- The Thorns announced that Riley would not be retained for a third season
- The team’s poor results were publicly cited as the reason for his departure
It wasn’t until 2021 that Paulson acknowledged to The Athletic that the findings of the investigation into Shim’s complaint factored into the decision not to retain Riley.
Riley’s Continued Career and the NWSL’s Response
Despite the allegations and his departure from the Portland Thorns, Paul Riley continued to coach in women’s soccer. How did this happen, and what was the NWSL’s role?
After leaving the Thorns, Riley went on to coach other teams, including the North Carolina Courage. It wasn’t until The Athletic’s story was published in September 2021 that the Courage fired Riley.
Earlier in 2021, when the NWSL adopted a new anti-harassment policy, Farrelly and Shim contacted the league to request a new investigation into Riley’s behavior. League commissioner Lisa Baird responded by stating that the 2015 complaint was “investigated to conclusion,” and she could not share any details.
Riley’s Response to the Allegations
When confronted with the allegations, how did Paul Riley respond? The Athletic presented Riley with 23 questions about his alleged conduct. His email response included the following points:
- He stated that the majority of the allegations were “completely untrue”
- Riley denied having sex with or making sexual advances towards the players
- He acknowledged socializing with players and occasionally picking up bar tabs, but denied taking them out drinking
- Riley conceded that he may have said something offensive over his career but denied belittling players or commenting on their weight or personal relationships
- He also denied holding film sessions in his hotel room
Riley’s denials stand in stark contrast to the detailed allegations made by multiple players, creating a complex situation for investigators and the league to unravel.
The Broader Impact on Women’s Soccer
The allegations against Paul Riley had far-reaching implications for women’s soccer as a whole. How did this scandal affect the sport and its participants?
The revelations sparked a broader conversation about player safety, power dynamics in coaching, and the responsibility of leagues and teams to protect their athletes. It led to:
- Increased scrutiny of coaching practices across the NWSL and other leagues
- Calls for more robust reporting mechanisms and player protections
- A reevaluation of how complaints are handled and investigated
- Greater awareness of the potential for abuse in professional sports settings
The scandal also highlighted the courage of players like Farrelly and Shim in coming forward with their experiences, potentially paving the way for others to speak out against misconduct in the future.
The U.S. Soccer Federation’s Independent Investigation
In response to the allegations against Riley and other instances of misconduct in women’s soccer, the U.S. Soccer Federation launched an independent investigation. What were the outcomes of this investigation?
On October 3, 2022, the U.S. Soccer Federation released the full findings and recommendations of their independent investigation into allegations of abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League. This report was a significant step towards transparency and accountability in addressing the issues raised by the Paul Riley scandal and other reported instances of misconduct.
The investigation’s findings likely included:
- A comprehensive review of the allegations against Riley and other coaches
- An assessment of the NWSL’s handling of complaints and investigations
- Recommendations for policy changes and improved player protections
- Potential disciplinary actions or structural changes within the league
The release of this report marked a crucial moment in the ongoing efforts to create a safer and more equitable environment for women in professional soccer.
Implementation of New Policies and Procedures
Following the investigation, what steps were taken to prevent similar incidents in the future? The U.S. Soccer Federation and the NWSL likely implemented new policies and procedures, such as:
- Enhanced background checks for coaches and staff
- Improved reporting mechanisms for players to voice concerns
- Mandatory training on appropriate conduct and power dynamics
- Regular audits of team cultures and coaching practices
- Stricter enforcement of anti-harassment and anti-abuse policies
These measures aim to create a more transparent and accountable environment within women’s professional soccer, ensuring that player safety and well-being are prioritized.
The Ongoing Conversation About Power and Safety in Sports
The Paul Riley scandal opened up a broader dialogue about power dynamics and athlete safety across all sports. How has this conversation evolved since the allegations came to light?
The revelations about Riley’s alleged misconduct have prompted a wider examination of coaching practices and player-coach relationships in various sports. This ongoing conversation has touched on several key points:
- The importance of clear boundaries between coaches and players
- The need for robust support systems for athletes at all levels
- The role of team owners and league officials in maintaining a safe environment
- The potential for abuse in high-pressure, competitive sports settings
- The challenges faced by athletes in reporting misconduct, especially against powerful figures
This ongoing dialogue has the potential to drive meaningful change not just in soccer, but across the sporting world, leading to safer and more equitable environments for athletes at all levels.
Empowering Athletes to Speak Out
One of the most significant outcomes of the Paul Riley scandal has been the empowerment of athletes to speak out against misconduct. How has this shift manifested in women’s soccer and beyond?
The courage shown by Sinead Farrelly, Mana Shim, and others in coming forward with their experiences has inspired other athletes to share their stories and demand accountability. This has led to:
- Increased media coverage of athlete experiences and concerns
- The formation of player-led advocacy groups and support networks
- Greater public awareness of the challenges faced by professional athletes
- Pressure on sports organizations to prioritize player welfare and safety
This movement towards greater transparency and athlete empowerment has the potential to reshape the landscape of professional sports, creating environments where players feel safe, respected, and heard.
The Future of Women’s Soccer Post-Scandal
As the soccer world continues to grapple with the fallout from the Paul Riley scandal, what does the future hold for women’s soccer? The revelations have undoubtedly shaken the foundations of the sport, but they also present an opportunity for positive change and growth.
Looking ahead, we can expect to see:
- Continued emphasis on player safety and well-being
- More diverse leadership in coaching and administrative roles
- Increased player involvement in decision-making processes
- Ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all athletes
- Greater transparency from teams and leagues regarding internal policies and practices
While the Paul Riley scandal has been a dark chapter in the history of women’s soccer, it has also served as a catalyst for necessary changes. The sport now has the opportunity to emerge stronger, more equitable, and more attuned to the needs and voices of its players.
Rebuilding Trust and Integrity
A crucial task facing women’s soccer in the wake of the Paul Riley scandal is rebuilding trust and integrity within the sport. How can this be achieved?
Rebuilding trust will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders in women’s soccer, including:
- Consistent enforcement of new policies and procedures
- Regular, transparent communication with players and fans
- Demonstrable commitment to player safety and well-being
- Accountability for past failures and a clear plan for preventing future misconduct
- Inclusion of player voices in decision-making processes at all levels
By prioritizing these elements, women’s soccer can work towards restoring faith in the sport’s integrity and creating a more positive environment for current and future generations of players.
Former players accuse North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley of sexual coercion
Editor’s note: On October 3, 2022, the U.S. Soccer Federation released the full findings and recommendations of an independent investigation into allegations of abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League. The Athletic has reported extensively on the subject over the last year, including the following story from September 2021.
Former players have accused now-former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley of sexual coercion spanning multiple teams and leagues since 2010, according to The Athletic.
Midfielder Sinead Farrelly played for Riley with three teams across three leagues, beginning in 2011. Farrelly told The Athletic that Riley often sat next to her at a bar where he regularly took the team, and eventually, she started to share deeply personal information with him.
When the team gathered in a crowded passenger van after their loss in the 2011 WPS final, Farrelly said she had to sit on Riley’s lap and he grabbed her hips.
“I felt claimed,” Farrelly told The Athletic. “That word honestly describes it perfectly for me, because I have this feeling that he went around and he looked at his prospects, and he zeroed in on me. He claimed me; that’s what his touch felt like. I just remember thinking: Is anyone else seeing this?”
Farrelly and Riley ended up in front of his hotel room, she said, and they both went in. Farrelly said that she felt Riley coerced her into having sex with him, and she spent the night in his room.
Riley’s alleged sexual coercion towards Farrelly continued during the offseason and later when she played for his semi-pro team in Long Island in 2012.
Farrelly joined Kansas City FC in the newly-formed NWSL in 2013, and then Riley traded for her when the Portland Thorns hired him later that year. He haunted Farrelly mentally and emotionally, she said. She even collapsed in a July 2014 game due to the toll it took on her.
Riley’s pattern of drinking with his players continued during his time with the Thorns.
“He really commands the kind of social culture he wants on the team,” an anonymous player who played for Riley in Portland said. “He has the authority. People don’t really push him on it, everyone accepts that just how he is. You’re trying to survive in his hierarchy.”
Ahead of the Thorns’ 2015 season, Meleana “Mana” Shim became entangled in the “social culture” that Riley had cultivated in Portland and in his previous teams. Over time, he started texting Shim more often and asked her to watch film with him, even sometimes at his apartment and in his hotel room.
After a night when the team went out to a bar, Farrelly and Shim ended up at Riley’s apartment. He offered them more alcohol in his apartment, the two players said, and asked Shim to dance with him and pressured the two teammates to kiss so the team wouldn’t have to run a suicide mile drill that week.
With the help of teammate Alex Morgan, Shim emailed a complaint to Thorns owner Merritt Paulson and HR director Nancy Garcia Ford in 2015.
Garcia Ford met with Shim about her complaint. Shim said Garcia Ford told her that she didn’t have a legal claim because Shim was unable to provide any corroborating evidence.
That fall, the Thorns announced that Riley would not be retained for a third season. From the outside, it looked like the team’s poor results had forced Portland’s hand. This week, Paulson acknowledged to The Athletic that the findings of the investigation factored in the team’s decision.
Riley continued to coach women’s soccer after his Thorns firing. He was fired by the Courage later on Thursday after The Athletic’s story was published.
After the NWSL adopted a new anti-harassment policy earlier this year, Farrelly and Shim contacted the league to ask for a new investigation into Riley’s behavior. League commissioner Lisa Baird thanked them for raising their concerns but informed both former players the 2015 complaint was “investigated to conclusion,” and that she could not share any details.
On Wednesday, Riley responded to a list of 23 questions from The Athletic about his alleged conduct with an email in which he stated that the majority of the allegations are “completely untrue.” He wrote: “I have never had sex with, or made sexual advances towards these players.” He said he sometimes socialized with players and occasionally picked up bar tabs, “but I do not take them out drinking.”
He conceded that over the course of his career “there’s a chance I’ve said something along the way that offended someone,” but he added, “I do not belittle my players, comment on their weight, or discuss their personal relationships.” Riley also denied holding film sessions in his hotel room.
The Courage said in a statement: “When we hired Paul, we made perfectly clear the expectations of the job and the values of our club, and from what we know, he has lived up to those expectations. If there are any players or staff that wish to come forward in accordance with NWSL league policy, we encourage them to report any inappropriate behavior as we will continue to uphold the standard of maintaining a safe and positive environment for all at the club.
“
For more on the allegations against Riley, you can read The Athletic‘s full story in the Go Deeper section below.
(Photo: Diego Diaz / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GO DEEPER
How the structure of sports protects abusers of power
GO DEEPER
‘This guy has a pattern’: Amid institutional failure, former NWSL players accuse prominent coach of sexual coercion
Former Courage coach sexually coerced three players amid string of ‘systemic abuse’ throughout NWSL :: WRALSportsFan.com
By WRAL News
A report released on Monday describes sexual misconduct, verbal and emotional abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League as “systemic,” and names former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley as one of the perpetrators.
The months-long independent investigation surfaced almost exactly a year after Riley was fired amid reports from players that Riley used sexual coercion and made inappropriate comments toward players.
“Our investigation has revealed a league in which abuse and misconduct — verbal and emotional abuse and sexual misconduct — had become systemic, spanning multiple teams, coaches and victims,” Sally Q. Yates, the lead investigator, wrote in the report’s executive summary. “Abuse in the N.W.S.L. is rooted in a deeper culture in women’s soccer, beginning in youth leagues, that normalizes verbally abusive coaching and blurs boundaries between coaches and players.”
When contacted by WRAL for comment on Monday, Riley said he was “not ready” to talk and the report was “not much of an independent investigation.”
The Courage was the focus of the NWSL world in fall 2021 when Riley was fired, prompting demonstrations at NWSL games in the following days.
King & Spalding, the law firm that led the investigation, recommended that teams be required to report any abuse allegations and not investigate themselves. Coaches would need to be trained on policies and player safety made a priority among teams.
The firm advised that coaches included in the report no longer be involved with NWSLPA or the league.
Riley’s name is mentioned hundreds of times in the report from his time with the Portland Thorns and the Courage. Riley left the Thorns in 2015 after a complaint from a player, Meleana Shim. The report notes that Riley pursued Shim for months and benched her after she turned down his advances. Riley used his authority as coach to coerce at least three players into sexual relationships while working in another league, the report says.
The report also details complaints against coaches Rory Dames and Christy Holly. Riley was among five coaches in the league who either was fired or resigned from their positions due to inappropriate behavior.
Courage players hold moment of silence in meaningful win, powerful night for NWSL
The report says that Riley, throughout his career and including his time with the Courage, inappropriately interfered in many aspects of players’ personal and professional lives, including their housing, cars, salary, weight and medical decisions.
“Paul structured himself as if he was more so a dictator than a coach. You felt as if you didn’t have an option or that you couldn’t let this person down, so even if we did feel uncomfortable, we couldn’t do anything,” a team captain told investigators.
Riley is accused of emotional manipulation of players, often with verbal attacks. The league and the United States Soccer Federation were aware of Riley’s conduct as early as the 2014 season, when player complained about Riley in surveys.
“It is like an abusive relationship. He will be so good to you, compliment you—give, give, give—and then he would take it away. Paul was so good at giving confidence and taking it away,” said a player who played for Riley on multiple teams.
WRAL reached out to the Courage for comment, but has not received a response from the team.
Riley was fired by the Portland Thorns after the 2015 season after an investigation into sexual harassment complaint by a player, Meleana Shim. Shim forwarded her complaint to the then-commissioner of the NWSL and it made its way to the top of the US Soccer Federation organization.
The Thorns, however, did not do an exhaustive investigation, instead terminating Riley for cause. But the Thorns did not inform team staff, other players, other NWSL teams or the public of his termination for cause. “The Thorns’ and Riley’s public statements fed player and public assumptions that the Thorns’ decision to release Riley was based on poor results,” the report said.
The Western New York Flash, which would move to Cary and become the Courage, “sought and received information and positive recommendations from the Thorns regarding Riley” during its hiring process. The report says there is no evidence the Thorns informed the Flash that it had fired Riley for cause. On Feb. 19, 2016, the franchise announced Riley as its head coach.
Sally Q. Yates, a partner at King & Spalding, said the abuse issues that surround women’s soccer are found in other age groups of those who play the sport, including youth soccer.
“Abuse in women’s profession soccer appears rooted in youth soccer,” Yates said in a press conference on Monday.
“Although our mandate was to investigate abuses in the NWSL … not in youth soccer .. the sad reality is that the abuse that we confronted does appear to rooted there.”
The problem became so publicized that Deborah Ross, 2nd Congressional District Congresswoman from North Carolina, led a group of 41 members of the House of Representatives in writing an open letter to the NWSL asking them to thoroughly investigate abuse and harassment within their league.
The report said the new ownership did not receive a copy of the Thorns’ 2015 report about Shim’s complaint. The report details differing accounts of how much of Riley’s history was made known to the Courage’s management.
NWSL reopens investigation regarding former Courage coach Paul Riley
On Jan. 30, 2017, the Courage announced Riley as head coach, stating the “success that he’s had throughout his career speaks for itself.”
In December 2018, the US Soccer Federation received an anonymous email complaint about Riley fostering an unsafe environment on his Development Academy youth teams.
In 2019, when Riley’s name surfaced in media reports as a potential candidate to become U.S. Women’s National Team coach, people familiar with Riley’s sexual misconduct with the Thorns reached out to USSF. Despite conversations that included the Courage, no action was taken, the report says. Riley publicly withdrew as a candidate.
In 2020, Riley received a contract extension from the Courage. Riley was fired on Sept. 30, 2021 after The Athletic reported on complaints from Thorns players, including Shim.
Under Riley, the Courage won the NWSL Shield for best regular-season team in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Courage won the NWSL postseason title in 2018 and 2019.
After the league became embroiled in scandal, Jessica Berman took over as NWSL commissioner and told WRAL News a new a non-discrimination, harassment and bullying policy is in place for the league in hopes to build new trust and credibility.
SUGGEST A CORRECTION
Women’s Football League matches canceled in the USA due to sex scandal :: Football :: RBC Sport
adv.
rbc.ru
adv.rbc.ru
adv.rbc.ru
Sport
TV channel
Pro
Investments
Events
RBC+
New economy
Trends
Real estate
Autonews
Sport
Style
National projects
City
Crypto
Debating club
Research
Credit ratings
Franchises
Newspaper
Special projects St.
Petersburg
Conferences St. Petersburg
Special projects
Checking counterparties
RBC Library
ESG index
Policy
Economy
Business
Technology and media
Finance
RBC Company
adv.rbc.ru
adv.rbc.ru
North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley was fired from his post following allegations of sexual assault by several female players
Photo: Global Look Press
The American Women’s National Soccer League (NWSL) has canceled games this weekend following a sex scandal involving former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley.
This is reported on the NWSL website.
“This week and much of this season has been incredibly traumatic for our players and staff, and I take full responsibility for the part I have played. I apologize for the pain that many are feeling right now. Recognizing this injury, we have decided not to take the field this weekend to give everyone a chance to reflect,” said NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird.
adv.rbc.ru
Riley, 58, was fired from the North Carolina Courage on Thursday after several female players accused him of sexual assault. According to the athletes, since 2010 the coach forced them to have sex during his work in several leagues and teams.
The US Football Federation later said it was deeply concerned about NWSL misconduct and suspended Riley’s coaching license.
NWSL is a professional football league administered by the United States Football Federation. It was founded in 2012. It is the highest tier in the women’s soccer league system in the United States.
Author
Ivan Vitchenko
adv.rbc.ru
adv.rbc.ru
adv.rbc.ru
in the USA, female football players demand that they be treated at least within the framework of basic human rights – InoTV
According to female football players playing in the US National Women’s Football League, the scandal with coach Paul Riley is by no means an exceptional case, and this problem is systemic, reports NBC. Athletes demand that they be treated at least within the framework of basic human rights.
ERIN MCLEOD, Orlando Pride FC goaltender : These players will be scarred for the rest of their lives.
MCCALL ZERBONY, Gotham FC Linebacker : It’s time for their voices to be heard.
For the first time, Women’s National Football League players are speaking out about the shocking allegations against coach Paul Riley, who had just been fired from the North Carolina Caridge after about a dozen women told The Athletic that he had been verbally abusive and, in several cases, even sexually coerced. Riley denied all allegations and did not respond to NBC News.
SAM BROK, Correspondent NBC : Do you think the Paul Riley story is an exception?
MCCALL ZERBONY: I am convinced that this is systemic. And none of the officials, who supposedly should protect us and do justice, did not try to correct the situation.
Neither McCall Zerboni, a successful Gotham football player, nor Erin MacLeod, an Olympic gold medalist for Team Canada, have made these accusations, but they are deeply concerned about what they say is an example of a complete unwillingness to listen to the players.
ERIN MACLEOD: This is by no means a new story. Back in 2015, they made the same statements that were made in this article.
Riley, then coach of the Portland Thorns, was investigated that year. The contract was not renewed for him then, but he got a job at another club. According to Macleod, there are still people in the leadership of the Portland Thorns organizational structures who worked there during the alleged cases of illegal actions.
ERIN MCLEOD: They are collaborators and we need to make a difference. We need to get rid of these people.
Former Portland Thorns player Sinead Farley, who made the accusations, and another player, Mana Shim, responded boldly to the publication of this article.
MCCALL ZERBONY: You know, they tried it, but it didn’t work and they had to try again. Imagine the pain they experienced. But also imagine their power.
The National Women’s Football League did not respond to any of our requests for comment, however they reminded us of their previous statement regarding the new protection measures.
