NWSL and USWNT midfielder Sam Mewis is speaking out about the allegations against her former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley, who has been accused of sexually coercing and emotionally abusing multiple NWSL players. Riley was fired by North Carolina on Thursday.
pic.twitter.com/kas1gc3evv— Samantha Mewis (@sammymewy) September 30, 2021
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“I support Sinead and Mana,” Mewis wrote. “I am horrified to read the details of what happened to them. The league needs to do whatever is necessary to make them (and other victims, like Kaiya [McCullough]) feel heard, believed, and protected.”
McCullough is a former NWSL player who went on record last month detailing the emotional abuse she experienced while playing for the Washington Spirit under Richie Burke.
Mewis has played under Riley since 2016, when Riley was named head coach of the Western New York Flash. She helped the Flash to the NWSL Championship before the team was sold and moved to North Carolina. She then played three seasons under Riley with the Courage before signing with Manchester City for one season.
Mewis rejoined the Courage in May before joining the USWNT at the Olympics.
She joins a long list of players condemning the allegations against Riley.