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"Protect the players" reads the posters fans bring to a Portland Thorns game
Photo: Steve Dipaola/AP
Four former National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) coaches have been banned for life following investigations into allegations of abuse in US women's soccer.
As the professional league around NWSL boss Jessica Berman announced, ex-coaches Paul Riley, Christy Holly, Rory Dames and Richie Burke have been permanently banned from participating in the league competition.
Last month, an independent investigation into allegations of abuse in US women's soccer found most of the NWSL's clubs "persistent misconduct."
The latest study, which analyzed complaints for 14 months, uncovered systemic failings that allowed physical and emotional abuse of players.
The players Sinead Farrelly and Meleana Shim had described alleged sexual assaults by their ex-coach Riley in an article on the Internet portal The Athletic in October 2021, thereby triggering the comprehensive investigation.
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