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Former Portland Thorns athletic director Gavin Wilkinson (l.)
Photo:
Sean Meagher / dpa
The Portland Thorns have taken personal action following an investigation into abuse allegations against a former NWSL team coach.
The club announced this decision on Wednesday (local time) after franchise owner Merritt Paulson announced his resignation from the management of the Thorns the day before in the course of the investigation report published on Monday.
The investigation, led by former US Attorney General Sally Yate, alleges that Wilkinson covered up sexual abuse allegations against Paul Riley, the former Portland women's coach.
In 2013, Golub reportedly asked Cindy Parlow Cone, then coach of the Thorns and now president of the American Football Federation, for the "list of things to do before you sleep with her."
National team captain Sauerbrunn: "Shaken and heartbroken"
National team captain Becky Sauerbrunn then asked for everyone involved to be suspended.
"Every team owner, CEO and official who has failed the players, who has failed to protect them and has not fully participated in the investigation should go," said the Portland player in a video call before the international game of the US soccer players on Friday at European champions England.
She and her teammates are "shocked and heartbroken," said the 37-year-old.
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