AP

US Soccer responds to players’ dismay over misconduct claims

Feb 10, 2022, 5:43 AM | Updated: 7:45 pm

FILE - Cindy Parlow Cone smiles during induction ceremonies at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in ...

FILE - Cindy Parlow Cone smiles during induction ceremonies at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. The U.S. Soccer Foundation has urged its members to reelect Cindy Parlow Cone as U.S. Soccer Federation president rather than restore former president Carlos Cordeiro. “In our 28 years, our board has never taken a position in a U.S. Soccer election,” the foundation said in a statement Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. “But the stakes are too high this time to remain silent. Based on our experience with both candidates, our 25-person board of directors unanimously endorse Cindy Cone." (Jason Janik/The Dallas Morning News via AP, File, File)

(Jason Janik/The Dallas Morning News via AP, File, File)

U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said Thursday she shares the concerns of national team players who expressed dismay over the federation’s handling of complaints against former Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames.

Christen Press, Crystal Dunn, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe were among the players who wrote a letter to Cone and former federation president Carlos Cordeiro on Wednesday following a report in The Washington Post that detailed allegations of misconduct stretching back to when Dames was a youth coach.

The accusations included verbal and emotional abuse and other inappropriate behavior. An elite youth player, who was not named by the Post, also said Dames groomed her for a sexual encounter once she turned 18. A lawyer for Dames denied the claims in the story.

“The Washington Post article was the first that U.S. Soccer learned of the latest allegations concerning sexual abuse by Rory Dames. As I’ve said to many of you personally, I am incredibly angered and saddened by the multiple reports that have come out about these horrific situations too many girls and women have had to endure within our sport,” Cone said in her response to the players. “As the president of U.S. Soccer, ensuring that soccer players at all levels in this country can participate in soccer in a safe environment is of the utmost importance for me personally and for the federation.”

Both Parlow Cone and Cordeiro are candidates for the next term as federation president. The election is set for March 5.

Players had insisted that their reports about abusive behavior and misconduct throughout the years had fallen on deaf ears.

“Over the years, while we played on the USWNT and in the National Women’s Soccer League, many of us reported to USSF instances where, as adults, we experienced abusive conduct by our coaches,” the players’ letter said. “Now we have learned that this abusive treatment also was repeatedly reported by minors and that USSF failed to respond to protect these young players. That is utterly disheartening.”

Dames was investigated by police in Arlington Heights, Illinois, in 1998 after a former player said he inappropriately touched her when she was underage, the Post reported. The investigation was dropped because no formal complaint was filed.

Dames was one of five coaches in the NWSL who stepped down or were fired last season.

North Carolina coach Paul Riley was fired after two of his former players, Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim, accused him of sexual harassment and coercion. Those allegations prompted the NWSL and U.S. Soccer to open investigations, and led to the resignation of NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird.

Dames abruptly resigned last November ahead of another report in the Post that said former players, including Press, had gone to U.S. Soccer with complaints about Dames going back to 2014.

Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler posted a statement on the team’s website on Thursday. He apologized for falling short of hiring employees of character and said the team has made moves to ensure more oversight.

“I have spoken with many players and the experiences they have told me about are unacceptable. I am further heartbroken this week after learning about the allegations from former youth players that involved the Red Stars former coach at the youth club he founded. There is no place for abuse of any kind in soccer — or anywhere,” Whisler said.

U.S. Soccer appointed former U.S. deputy attorney general Sally Yates to conduct an independent investigation. Yates issued a statement late Thursday.

“The scope of our investigation is broad. We are investigating not only allegations of misconduct, but also the factors that may have contributed to, perpetuated, or concealed abuse,” Yates wrote. “Our mandate is to find the truth and make recommendations to ensure that going forward, players are treated respectfully, wrongdoing is uncovered and addressed, and players are protected from harassment or retaliation.”

The players called for transparency and action.

“We will not stop fighting until we can ensure that this sport is safe for ourselves, for our daughters, and for every little girl who cheers us on and dreams of one day playing the sport we all love,” the letter said. “We hope your immediate actions will demonstrate that you both share this goal.”

In addition to Dunn, Morgan, Press and Rapinoe, the players’ letter was signed by Tobin Heath, Carli Lloyd, Sam Mewis, Kelley O’Hara and Becky Sauerbrunn.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

1 year ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

1 year ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

1 year ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

1 year ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

1 year ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

1 year ago

US Soccer responds to players’ dismay over misconduct claims