NWSL and USWNT star Lynn Williams is speaking out about the allegations against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley. Riley, who has been accused of sexually coercing and emotionally abusing multiple NWSL players, was fired by North Carolina on Thursday.
pic.twitter.com/5xDHREsJCB— Lynn Williams (@lynnraenie) September 30, 2021
pic.twitter.com/5xDHREsJCB
“I fully support Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly, and I admire the bravery it took for them to come forward,” Williams wrote. “I am sickened by the details outlined in the article, and saddened to know there may be others.”
Like teammate Sam Mewis, Williams has played under Riley since 2016 when he was named head coach of the Western New York Flash. Since then, Williams has established herself as a USWNT regular and was named to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic team roster.
Mewis also spoke out about the allegations on Thursday, saying, “I support Sinead and Mana. 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) feel heard, believed, and protected.”
During the 2019-2020 season, Williams was sent to the Western Sydney Wanderers on loan before returning to the Courage. Through 12 matches this season, Williams has six goals, which is tied for fifth in the league. Williams won the NWSL MVP and Golden Boot awards in 2016.
She joins a long list of players condemning the allegations against Riley.