Orlando Pride head coach Amanda Cromwell and assistant coach Sam Greene have been sacked following ‘engaging in retaliatory acts’ towards players who complained regarding them during a previous survey.
The US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) said their conduct “discouraged reporting and fueled a general fear of retaliation”.
They have also attempted to waive or trade some players they believe made or supported misconduct allegations once morest them earlier in the year.
It comes a week following an independent investigation found abuse and misconduct “had become systemic” in the NWSL.
In a statement on Twitter, former USA international Cromwell said she was “saddened and disappointed” by the results of the NWSL’s latest investigation, adding that her character and integrity had been “mischaracterized”.
In March, allegations were made of “verbal abuse” towards players by Cromwell and “inappropriate favouritism” by Cromwell and Greene. After an investigation, some of the allegations were substantiated and both received written warnings, with Cromwell required to attend leadership training.
Two months later, the joint investigation team of the NWSL and the NWSL Players Association received reports that the two men were engaging in retaliation. The league says “these allegations have been substantiated” by another investigation.
The investigation team also discovered that goalkeeping coach Aline Reis – a former Brazil international – had not fully cooperated and ‘pressured players to share favorable information with investigators’ .
In June, Cromwell, Greene, Reis and assistant coach Michelle Akers raised complaints that they had been subjected to various forms of misconduct, allegations that were found to be unsubstantiated by an investigation commissioned by the NWSL by a third party. .
Following the investigation team’s findings, the NWSL terminated the contracts of Cromwell and Greene with immediate effect, while Reis was placed on unpaid administrative leave and must undergo mandatory training regarding “retaliation, discrimination, harassment and bullying”.
Cromwell and Greene must undergo the same training, as well as “mandatory executive coaching”, if they hope to return to work in the NWSL. They will only be allowed to return to the NWSL if approved by the league commissioner.
Cromwell, 52, said she would ‘consider all legal options’, saying the investigation was ‘biased and incomplete’.
“As we continue to build a league that is as elite as the players on the pitch, it is critically important that we foster a culture where individuals can safely raise concerns without fear of reprisal,” the commissioner said. the NWSL, Jessica Berman.
“These retaliation concerns were identified during the joint NWSL/NWSLPA investigation and interim measures have been put in place due to the continuing nature of the misconduct. »
Orlando Pride President Mark Wilf said, “Our club is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment, and we apologize to our players who may have experienced the opposite.
“We are committed to learning from this process as we continue to build and make Pride the premier organization our players and fans deserve. »
