What allegations have been made against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley. How did the soccer community respond to these accusations. What actions were taken in response to the allegations against Paul Riley.
The Shocking Allegations Against Paul Riley
The soccer world was rocked by serious allegations against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley. Multiple former players have come forward accusing Riley of sexual coercion and inappropriate behavior spanning over a decade across several teams and leagues.
Midfielder Sinead Farrelly, who played under Riley’s coaching from 2011 onwards, shared disturbing details of her experiences. She described feeling “claimed” by Riley, recounting instances where he would single her out, engage in inappropriate physical contact, and eventually coerce her into sexual relations.
Another player, Meleana “Mana” Shim, reported similar experiences of Riley’s predatory behavior during her time with the Portland Thorns. Shim described a pattern of escalating inappropriate conduct, including Riley pressuring her and Farrelly to kiss each other in exchange for the team avoiding a grueling drill.
A Pattern of Abuse and Manipulation
The allegations against Riley paint a picture of a coach who systematically abused his position of power to manipulate and exploit young female players. His tactics reportedly included:
- Cultivating a team “social culture” that revolved around drinking and socializing with the coach
- Isolating players for one-on-one interactions under the guise of professional development
- Using his authority to create situations where players felt unable to refuse his advances
- Emotionally manipulating players to keep them under his influence
This pattern of behavior allegedly continued even after complaints were made, suggesting a systemic failure to protect players from abuse.
The Impact on Players’ Lives and Careers
The toll of Riley’s alleged actions on the affected players cannot be overstated. Farrelly described the profound psychological impact, which even manifested physically when she collapsed during a game in 2014 due to the emotional strain.
For many players, the fear of professional repercussions kept them silent. The power imbalance between a coach and player in professional soccer made it incredibly difficult for victims to speak out or seek help.
Long-term Consequences
The effects of such abuse can be long-lasting, potentially impacting:
- Players’ mental health and well-being
- Their ability to trust coaches and authority figures
- The trajectory of their soccer careers
- Their personal relationships and self-esteem
The Soccer Community’s Response to the Allegations
When the allegations against Paul Riley came to light, the response from the soccer community was swift and largely supportive of the players who had come forward. However, questions were raised about why it had taken so long for these issues to be addressed.
Immediate Actions Taken
In the wake of The Athletic’s report, several immediate actions were taken:
- The North Carolina Courage fired Paul Riley from his position as head coach
- The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) suspended all matches for the weekend following the revelations
- NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird resigned from her position
- The U.S. Soccer Federation announced an independent investigation into the allegations
These actions demonstrated a commitment to addressing the issue, but also highlighted the need for more robust preventative measures and support systems for players.
The Role of Leadership in Player Protection
The Paul Riley scandal brought to light significant failures in leadership and player protection within women’s professional soccer. How did these systemic issues contribute to the perpetuation of abuse?
One key factor was the apparent lack of thorough investigation and follow-through when complaints were initially made. When Mana Shim filed a complaint against Riley with the Portland Thorns in 2015, the team’s response was inadequate. While Riley’s contract was not renewed, the true reasons were not made public, allowing him to continue coaching in the NWSL.
This lack of transparency and accountability allowed a potentially dangerous individual to remain in a position of power over young athletes. It raises serious questions about the priorities of team owners and league officials when it comes to player safety versus other concerns like public image or legal liability.
The Need for Structural Changes
The Riley case has highlighted several areas where structural changes are needed in women’s professional soccer:
- More robust reporting mechanisms for players to safely report abuse
- Independent investigations of all abuse allegations
- Greater transparency in the handling of complaints and their outcomes
- Improved vetting processes for coaches and other authority figures
- Mandatory training on appropriate conduct and power dynamics
- Support systems for players who have experienced abuse
The Broader Implications for Women’s Soccer
The Paul Riley scandal is not an isolated incident, but part of a larger pattern of abuse and misconduct in women’s soccer. What does this mean for the future of the sport?
On one hand, the public nature of these allegations and the strong response from players, fans, and some officials suggest a turning point. There is a growing intolerance for abusive behavior and a demand for accountability that could lead to positive changes in the sport’s culture.
However, the revelations have also shaken many people’s faith in the institutions meant to protect players. Rebuilding trust will be a long and challenging process that will require sustained effort and transparency from all levels of soccer leadership.
Potential for Positive Change
Despite the dark nature of these allegations, there is potential for positive change to emerge:
- Increased awareness of abuse issues in women’s sports
- Empowerment of players to speak out against misconduct
- Development of stronger safeguarding policies and practices
- Greater scrutiny of power dynamics in coach-player relationships
- Improved support systems for players’ mental health and well-being
The Impact on Paul Riley’s Career and Legacy
The allegations against Paul Riley have had a profound impact on his career and legacy in soccer. Once considered a successful and respected coach, Riley’s reputation has been irreparably damaged by these accusations.
Following The Athletic’s report, Riley was quickly fired by the North Carolina Courage. This immediate action signaled a zero-tolerance approach to such allegations, but also raised questions about why similar action wasn’t taken earlier when complaints were first made.
Riley’s Response to the Allegations
In response to the allegations, Riley issued a statement denying most of the accusations. He claimed that the majority of the allegations were “completely untrue” and denied ever having sexual relations with or making sexual advances towards the players in question.
However, his denial has done little to mitigate the damage to his career and reputation. The detailed nature of the allegations, coupled with corroborating statements from multiple players, has led many in the soccer community to find the accusations credible.
Long-term Consequences for Riley
The long-term consequences for Riley are likely to be severe:
- Permanent damage to his professional reputation
- Unlikely to coach at a high level in women’s soccer again
- Potential legal consequences depending on further investigations
- Loss of respect and standing in the soccer community
The Role of Investigative Journalism in Exposing Abuse
The Paul Riley scandal highlights the crucial role that investigative journalism plays in exposing abuse and holding powerful figures accountable. How did The Athletic’s reporting contribute to bringing these allegations to light?
The detailed report published by The Athletic was the result of extensive investigative work, including interviews with multiple players and careful corroboration of their stories. This type of in-depth reporting is often necessary to bring long-buried issues to public attention, especially when dealing with sensitive topics like sexual misconduct.
The Impact of The Athletic’s Report
The publication of The Athletic’s report had several immediate and far-reaching effects:
- It gave a platform to players who had previously been silenced or ignored
- It forced immediate action from the North Carolina Courage and the NWSL
- It sparked a broader conversation about abuse in women’s soccer
- It led to calls for independent investigations and structural changes in the sport
This case serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of a free and vigorous press in uncovering wrongdoing and protecting vulnerable individuals.
Moving Forward: Ensuring Player Safety in Women’s Soccer
In the wake of the Paul Riley scandal, the focus has shifted to how women’s soccer can move forward and create a safer environment for players. What steps need to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future?
One key area of focus is the development of more robust safeguarding policies. This includes clear guidelines on appropriate behavior, thorough background checks for coaches and staff, and well-defined procedures for reporting and investigating allegations of misconduct.
Empowering Players
Empowering players to speak up about misconduct is crucial. This can be achieved through:
- Anonymous reporting systems
- Education on recognizing and reporting abuse
- Guarantees of non-retaliation for those who come forward
- Access to independent counseling and support services
Cultural Shift
Perhaps most importantly, there needs to be a cultural shift within women’s soccer. This includes:
- Zero tolerance for abusive behavior at all levels
- Promotion of a culture of respect and professionalism
- Regular training on appropriate conduct and power dynamics
- Encouragement of open dialogue about these issues
By implementing these changes, women’s soccer can work towards creating an environment where players feel safe, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential both on and off the field.
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
4 Former US Women’s Football League Coaches Suspended For Life Following Investigation After Allegations Of Harassment And Verbal Abuse – Football
Four Former US Women’s League Coaches Suspended For Life.
On Monday, January 9, a disciplinary verdict was issued based on a joint investigation by the National Women’s Football League and the players’ union. The investigation followed a report by The Athletic released in 2021. It outlined allegations of harassment and forced sex in 2015 against ex-Portland Thorns coach Paul Riley. In addition, the report reported that ex-Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames subjected his players to emotional and verbal abuse.
Former coaches Paul Riley, Christy Holly, Rory Dames and Richie Burke have been banned for life from any job in the league. It also imposed a two-year ban on the employment of former Utah Royals coach Craig Harrington and former Gotham director Alice LaHue, as well as conditions for their re-employment after the ban. In addition, the Portland Thorns and Chicago Red Stars received fines of $1 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
The Joint Investigation in a new light described in detail the violations that existed in a number of teams. An investigation by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates on behalf of the U.S. Football Federation, released in October 2022, confirmed its findings.
“The League will continue to prioritize the implementation and improvement of policies, programs and systems that put the health and safety of our players first,” according to an official press release.
In 2021, five male coaches were fired or resigned for reasons unrelated to football, including alleged sexual harassment, verbal abuse and racist remarks.
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in the US female soccer players demand to be treated at least within the framework of basic human rights – InoTV
According to female 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 MACLEOD, 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, National Women’s 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 BROCK 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, boldly responded 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 protections.