The NWSL has announced sanctions, including lifetime bans for four coaches, following a joint investigative report into allegations of abuse within the league.
The report, conducted by the league and the players' union, detailed widespread misconduct by coaches, as well as clubs' failure to act when presented with allegations from affected players.
Prior to the investigation, allegations had included claims of sexual harassment and coercion and verbal and emotional abuse.
The sanctions, handed down by NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman on Monday, ranged in severity based on the offences of those involved.
The most prominent name to be issued Level One sanctions – constituting permanent exclusion from the NWSL – was two-time Coach of the Year and three-time champion Paul Riley.
Also receiving Level One sanctions were former Sky Blue FC and Racing Louisville head coach Christy Holly, former Chicago Red Stars head coach Rory Dames and former Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke.
Former Utah Royals head coach Craig Harrington and former Gotham FC general manager Alyse Lahue were handed Level Two sanctions, resulting in a two-year ban from NWSL employment and training required in order to regain future employment.
Level Three sanctions, requiring training to be eligible for employment, were given to former OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti, former Houston Dash head coaches James Clarkson and Vera Pauw, as well as those previously announced in October for former Orlando Pride head coach Amanda Cromwell, Pride assistant coach Sam Greene and Pride goalkeeping coach Aline Reis.
The heaviest club fine of $1.5million was issued to the Chicago Red Stars, while the league will actively help franchise owner Arnim Whisler sell the team. The Portland Thorns received a $1m fine and will also be going through a change of ownership.
Racing Louisville were fined $200,000, North Carolina Courage were fined $100,000, OL Reign were fined $50,000 and so were Gotham FC.
In a statement, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said: "The league will continue to prioritise implementing and enhancing the policies, programmes and systems that put the health and safety of our players first.
"Those actions are fundamental to the future of our league, especially as we build a league that strengthens our players' ability to succeed and prosper on and off the pitch.
"As part of our commitment to accountability and deterrence, the league has determined that further corrective action with respect to certain organisations and individuals identified in the joint investigative report is appropriate and necessary.
"The league and its clubs have taken meaningful steps to begin this structural reform, and understand and accept the continual commitment to enhancing league standards that are necessary to build a safe and positive environment for our players, staff, fans and partners.
"The board of governors hired me with the very specific mandate to effectuate this transformation. These changes will require leadership, accountability, funding and a willingness to embrace this new way of conducting business.
"Our league and clubs are committed to making these changes and will do so with continued input from the NWSL Players Association to make the NWSL a league that sets the standard for the future of sports."
Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life after Toney with comfortable win
Brentford began life without Ivan Toney with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Southampton.
Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and a Yoane Wissa goal proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned the Saints to their third straight loss since promotion back to the Premier League.
With departed striker Toney watching in the stands after his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the hosts proved too strong for Russell Martin’s men. They created the superior chances and capitalised on an error-strewn performance from Southampton’s backline.
Mbeumo opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before doubling the lead halfway through the second period and Wissa then got on the scoresheet moments later to continue Brentford’s strong start to the campaign. Yukinari Sugawara bagged a consolation in injury time for the Saints.
Brentford sit in fifth place ahead of the first international break, while Southampton are second-bottom of the league table with zero points.
Data debrief: Wissa continues to prove effective at home
Wissa now has five goals and two assists in his last seven matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford have recorded consecutive home league wins for the first time since last November, and the first time in their opening home games since August 2018.
Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life without Toney with comfortable win
Brentford began life without Ivan Toney with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Southampton.
Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and a Yoane Wissa goal proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned the Saints to their third straight loss since promotion back to the Premier League.
With departed striker Toney watching in the stands after his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the hosts proved too strong for Russell Martin’s men. They created the superior chances and capitalised on an error-strewn performance from Southampton’s backline.
Mbeumo opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before doubling the lead halfway through the second period and Wissa then got on the scoresheet moments later to continue Brentford’s strong start to the campaign. Yukinari Sugawara bagged a consolation in injury time for the Saints.
Brentford sit in fifth place ahead of the first international break, while Southampton are second-bottom of the league table with zero points.
Data debrief: Wissa continues to prove effective at home
Wissa now has five goals and two assists in his last seven matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford have recorded consecutive home league wins for the first time since last November, and the first time in their opening home games since August 2018.
Pirlo sacked as Sampdoria head coach after dismal Serie B start
Andrea Pirlo has been sacked as Sampdoria's head coach after just over a season at the helm.
Pirlo, who managed Juventus for the 2020-21 campaign, has been relieved of his duties after an underwhelming start to their Serie B season.
After finishing seventh in Italy's second tier last term, the 45-year-old was given the green light to try and return to Serie A at the second time of asking.
However, an opening day draw with Frosinone was followed up with back-to-back defeats to Reggiana and Salernitana, leaving them second-bottom in the division.
During his time in charge, Pirlo won 18 of his 45 matches in charge (D10 L17), averaging 1.42 points per game, a total only bettered by his time with Juventus (2.15).
Sampdoria return to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris this weekend in search of their first three points of the season, welcoming Bari to Genoa on Saturday.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
