Former Quebec soccer player Rhian Wilkinson, who became head coach following her career on the lawn, resigned from her position with the Portland Thorns on Friday following an intimate relationship between her and one of her players broke down. been brought to light.
The 40-year-old woman also wrote a letter, which she published on her social networks, to tell the whole situation.
We also learn that it was at the request of her players that she preferred to resign.
Wilkinson first explains that his “friendship turned into a relationship with more complex emotions” towards the player in question, who has not been named. “In mid-October, the player shared her feelings with me, to which I responded in the same way.”
The relationship didn’t go further than this shared sentiment, however, with the two women stopping seeing each other outside of team activities. Wilkinson even reported herself to human resources. The United States Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as well as the Players’ Association opened an investigation, which however determined that no rules had been violated.
“After a thorough investigation during our playoff run, which included a review of all communications between the player and me, as well as interviews with each of us, I have been cleared of any blame in this matter. Wilkinson added.
“Once the investigation was complete, I informed all staff of what had happened, but the players found out before I might inform them. I can understand that the players feel betrayed and that they have to manage another story that is not related to soccer.
Before occupying various coaching positions, following her retirement as a player in 2017, Wilkinson had accumulated 181 selections with the Canadian national team, winning bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, among others. She had just concluded her first campaign as head coach of the Thorns, helping them win the NWSL playoffs.
