Lessons From The National Women’s Soccer League Crisis

Learning from the crises of others is one thing. But applying those lessons and avoiding similar situations is another.

A case in point is the report released yesterday about the alleged abuses in the National Women’s Soccer League.

The report, prepared by former Acting US Attorney General Sally Yates, “was published Monday, a year after players outraged by what they saw as a culture of abuse in their sport demanded changes by refusing to take the field. It found that leaders of the NWSL and the United States Soccer Federation—the governing body of the sport in America—as well as owners, executives and coaches at all levels failed to act on years of voluminous and persistent reports of abuse by coaches,” the New York Times reported.

History Repeating Itself

“It is tragic that we are seeing history repeat itself. Like USA Swimming, USA Gymnastics, and so many other national organizations, it seems like the culture of abuse is nowhere near ending,” Marc Lewis, an attorney specializing in sexual abuse cases, said via email.

“On the positive side, [the League] should be commended for retaining Sally Yates and leading what appears to be a full scale investigation of the abusive culture. But issuing a report is just the beginning. NSWL will now need to clean house and be sure to actually take positive steps to combat the abusive culture.

‘Will Need To Change The Culture’

“At a minimum, the NWSL will need to change the culture—stop ignoring red flags, stop dismissing complaints, and encourage an environment where abuse victims feel safe and empowered to speak up. And no more ‘passing the trash,’ moving abusers from one place to another rather than tackling the problem head on,” Lewis counseled.

Accountability

“The best organizations are honest about their shortcomings and hold themselves accountable. The Yates report demonstrates that soccer needs to hold itself to the same standards off the field as it does on the field,” Peter Loge, an associate professor in the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, observed via email.

“The NWSL needs to treat the Yates report as it would a player who persistently fouls opponents and puts others in danger in the game. Dangerous behavior on the pitch gets punished by coaches and referees. Dangerous behavior off the pitch should be punished as well. The game sets the standard [and] everyone in the game needs to be held to that standard,” he recommended.