Amid allegations of sexual coercion and emotional abuse by North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley, NWSL players are speaking out in reaction and support of their colleagues.
Alex Morgan, who is featured in The Athletic article and who originally helped Mana Shim report her experiences to the Portland Thorns and the league, tweeted out in support.
“I am sickened and have too many thoughts to share at this moment,” she wrote. “Bottom line: protect your players. Do the right thing NWSL.”
Mana and Sinead, we support you and are in your corner. I am sickened and have too many thoughts to share at this moment. Bottom line: protect your players. Do the right thing @NWSL https://t.co/7TGymLLrvn
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) September 30, 2021
USWNT star Megan Rapinoe also called out the clubs and executives which have allowed coaches accused of misconduct to find new roles elsewhere.
Men, protecting men, who are abusing women. I’ll say it again, men, protecting men, who are ABUSING WOMEN. Burn it all down. Let all their heads roll. https://t.co/iHg3JlVVe0
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) September 30, 2021
Haley Carter also voiced her support for the players, calling for the Courage to suspend Riley immediately.
“Abuse of any kind has no place in the game,” she wrote. “Get him away from players. Get any staff who was aware of this behavior and failed to report it away from players. This is a zero tolerance matter.”
Abuse of any kind has no place in the game. Suspend him immediately. Get him away from players. Get any staff who was aware of this behavior and failed to report it away from players. This is a zero tolerance matter. @meghannburke and @nwsl_players are spot on. https://t.co/UcK98HBOyJ
— Haley Carter - هیلی کارتر (@H_C_Carter) September 30, 2021
Nikki Stanton thanked those who shared their stories, telling them “it won’t be for nothing.”
Heart is heavy. Thank you to those who shared their stories, can’t fathom how hard this had to be to relive and share with the world. But it won’t be for nothing. We will fight for you and the other players, past and present, who have been in similar horrible experiences. https://t.co/poOqiQ3K8l
— Nikki Stanton (@GutiNikki7) September 30, 2021
Meanwhile, Nadia Nadim called the NWSL “such a joke.”
“Making their own bogus investigation, keeping it confidential, and then keep having the back of people that’s doing wrong have to stop,” she wrote.
“I’m back in this league to make a difference and to improve things. This league can be great, as we have the best players in the world. We just need to get the idiots out, gain power and make this league as great as it CAN be.”
Making their own bogus investigation, keeping it confidential, and then keep having the back of people that’s doing wrong have to stop.
— Nadia Nadim (@nadia_nadim) September 30, 2021
Still, I’m back in this league to make a difference and to improve things. This league can be great, as we have the best players in the world.
— Nadia Nadim (@nadia_nadim) September 30, 2021
We just need to get the idiots out, gain power and make this league as great as it CAN be.
Christine Sinclair called it “everyone’s responsibility to hold the standards and enforce accountability.”
Protect the players. Protect women. It’s everyone’s responsibility to hold the standards and enforce accountability. Why are we still dealing with these mostly male transgressions? This is unacceptable. @NWSL
— Christine Sinclair (@sincy12) September 30, 2021
Kealia Ohai Watt thanked Shim and Farrelly for their bravery.
“I am so sorry for what you have had to go through,” she wrote.
Mana and Sinead, thank you for your bravery. I am so sorry for what you have had to go through. I am sick. Protect your players @NWSL https://t.co/W9oRRpuN29
— Kealia Ohai Watt (@KealiaOhai) September 30, 2021
Janine Beckie also tweeted in support.
Thinking of all my friends, former teammates, and all players in the NWSL. What they’re having to deal with is far, far beyond reason or understanding. Protect your players.
— Janine Beckie (@janinebeckie) September 30, 2021
Becky Sauerbrunn thanked those who have spoken out in recent months for their “strength and courage.” She also thanked the NWSLPA for the leadership they’ve shown and asked players to make use of the resources the PA has made available.
“We’ve been doing this for almost a decade now, with two prior leagues’ worth of experience beforehand to inform and guide us,” she wrote. “To be where we are today is unacceptable. The league and every club have to do better.”
https://t.co/XrV2EQA0oL pic.twitter.com/PjMt8l20ZC
— Becky Sauerbrunn (@beckysauerbrunn) September 30, 2021
Angel City FC also tweeted out in response to the NWSLPA’s statement, saying, “we will not and are not ignoring this.”
NWSL Players deserve better and we stand by you. We will not and are not ignoring this. https://t.co/NzZyTxBmUg
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) September 30, 2021
They later issued a full statement, calling the allegations “absolutely horrific and unacceptable.”
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) September 30, 2021
Gotham FC issued a statement of their own, alongside GM Yael Averbuch West.
Speaking out and speaking up is how conditions will improve for professional women’s’ soccer. The time is now. https://t.co/HuhOMcSAD1
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) September 30, 2021
Thank you to the players who so bravely came forward to share their personal experiences. The entirety of NWSL is responsible for the safety of our members, and we MUST do more and be better on their behalf. https://t.co/RDujjMIphF
— Yael Averbuch West (@Yael_Averbuch) September 30, 2021
Didi Haracic tweeted “DO NOT IGNORE THIS.”
DO NOT IGNORE THIS. https://t.co/rwzQBJ2p4r
— 𝘿𝙞𝘿𝙞 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙘 (@DIdeeds) September 30, 2021
Crystal Dunn also responded, tweeting “Protect players! Protect women!”
🗣Protect players! Protect women!
— Crystal Dunn | Soubrier | (@Cdunn19) September 30, 2021
Angela Salem expressed her sadness and dissapointment.
“Enough is enough!” she wrote. “Players should not have to suffer anymore. The last few weeks have been a shitshow. My heart is so heavy right now.”
Anger. Pain. Sadness. Disappointment. Enough is enough! Players should not have to suffer anymore. The last few weeks have been a shitshow. My heart is so heavy right now. PROTECT THE PLAYERS!!!!! https://t.co/eJESxY2Xrq
— Angela Salem (@asalem6) September 30, 2021
Rachel Corsie echoed the NWSLPA, stating “WE WILL NOT LET THIS CONTINUE.”
WE WILL NOT LET THIS CONTINUE. https://t.co/5MzHjq0Kbk
— Rachel Corsie (@RachelCorsie14) September 30, 2021
Megan Rapinoe also responded to the allegations.
“Men, protecting men, who are abusing women,” she wrote. “I’ll say it again, men, protecting men, who are ABUSING WOMEN.
“Burn it all down. Let all their heads roll.”
Men, protecting men, who are abusing women. I’ll say it again, men, protecting men, who are ABUSING WOMEN. Burn it all down. Let all their heads roll. https://t.co/iHg3JlVVe0
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) September 30, 2021
Meghan Klingenberg added to statements she made in August at the International Champions Cup.
“It takes real courage to speak out about abuse and harassment in this league, especially when the perpetrators are often rehired and the very institutions that are supposed to protect us from them give them a free pass for abusive behavior,” she wrote. “It is enraging that the NWSL knew about this abuse and allowed the abuser to be rehired…A safe work environment is the lowest bar.
“This league won’t fold. But it sure as hell won’t ever be the same. And that’s a good thing.”
We Deserve Better (Part II) pic.twitter.com/c1MIAnrOde
— Meghan Klingenberg (@meghankling) September 30, 2021
She then called out Lisa Baird in the NWSL’s statement, calling the accusations “not *new*”
they’re not *new* https://t.co/k41QoSoFC0
— Bethany Balcer (@bethanybalcer) September 30, 2021
“People need to stop blaming others for their feelings & saying ‘i’m sorry what i said/did made you feel that way,'” she wrote in a later tweet. “Own up to the fact that they were wrong. what hurts me most is that people are still failing to hold themselves accountable.”
people need to stop blaming others for their feelings & saying “i’m sorry what i said/did made you feel that way” & own up to the fact that they were wrong. what hurts me most is that people are still failing to hold themselves accountable. own up to your shit and quit hiding it
— Bethany Balcer (@bethanybalcer) September 30, 2021
Toni Deion Pressley also threw her support behind Shim and Farrelly.
Thank you Sinead and Mana for speaking up! We stand behind you and we support you! https://t.co/l6p5gBxkZf
— Toni Deion Pressley (@Toni_Deion) September 30, 2021
Bella Bixby tweeted “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. https://t.co/9wvx62auOn
— Bella Bixby (@bellageist) September 30, 2021
“The bare minimum we ask is that we can show up and do our job in a safe environment,” she wrote in another tweet. “This abuse occurs at every level that I know of and it is horrifying. When will leadership stop falling on the players alone to protect each other? Protect players, protect women. Period.”
The bare minimum we ask is that we can show up and do our job in a safe environment. This abuse occurs at every level that I know of and it is horrifying. When will leadership stop falling on the players alone to protect each other? Protect players, protect women. Period.
— Bella Bixby (@bellageist) September 30, 2021
Sophia Smith responded to the allegations on Twitter, calling it “scary” as a young player.
“It’s a scary and intimidating feeling to never know who’s looking out for you or who you can trust,” she wrote. “the bare minimum is being asked of the league to protect its players, and they can’t even do that.”
what’s happening in this league is sickening. as a young player it’s a scary and intimidating feeling to never know who’s looking out for you or who you can trust. the bare minimum is being asked of the league to protect its players, and they can’t even do that.
— Sophia Smith (@sophsssmith) September 30, 2021
San Diego NWSL also responded, calling players the “nucleus” of the NWSL.
— San Diego (@SanDiegoNWSL) September 30, 2021
Head coach Casey Stoney also responded, calling player welfare “paramount.”
“Creating an open, honest, caring & supportive environment is something I pride myself on & will continue in my new role,” she continued. “It is never easy to speak out but those players are brave & courageous.”
I’m saddened & disgusted by today’s news. Player welfare is paramount. Creating an open, honest, caring & supportive environment is something I pride myself on & will continue in my new role. It is never easy to speak out but those players are brave & courageous #Timeforchange https://t.co/OIzHyLqlMW
— Casey Stoney MBE 💙 (@CaseyStoney) September 30, 2021
Rosie White called it “disturbing and disgusting.”
Disturbing and disgusting. No one should ever have to experience such abuse. We’ve had enough of this bullshit. https://t.co/TUYsZfi6Ns
— Rosie White (@rosiewhite13) September 30, 2021
The Chicago Red Stars also issued a statement, saying they are “outraged to hear about another instance of player abuse and are devastated for the players involved.”
A statement from the Chicago Red Stars pic.twitter.com/iTs4RExoHf
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) September 30, 2021
Kaiya McCullough, who has detailed her own accounts of abuse allegations to the Washington Post over former coach Richie Burke, said she “held back tears” as she read the article.
“How long does this need to go on?” she wrote.
No more half-assed responses. No more lack of transparency. No more dismissing credible allegations. The fact that so many women have been put through the EXACT same shit without any consequences is pathetic. How long does this need to go on?
— Kai (@hiyakaiya) September 30, 2021
“Every time I feel like I have found some sort of peace, I am re-traumatized with the fact that the same shit is happening to others, and nobody in positions of power are doing anything,” she continued.
Every time I feel like I have found some sort of peace, I am re-traumatized with the fact that the same shit is happening to others, and nobody in positions of power are doing anything. I am sad. I am hurt. I hope that those affected can find peace. I am sorry this has happened.
— Kai (@hiyakaiya) September 30, 2021
Julie Foudy also responded.
“A league for women. Yet @NWSL fails to protect women,” she wrote.
A league for women. Yet @NWSL fails to protect women. And then tries to continue to sweep it under the rug. Support these players. Believe these players. Protect these players. Transparency, accountability NOW.
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) September 30, 2021
Nicole Baxter also sounded off, saying she was “enraged.”
My heart hurts so bad for Sinead and Mana. I cannot imagine the bravery it takes to speak publicly about something so personal and traumatizing. These poor f*cking women should NEVER have had to go through this. Holy hell I’m enraged https://t.co/Mdj40qWTvh
— Nicole Baxter (@NicoleBaxter512) September 30, 2021
