The Washington Spirit are apologizing after forfeiting two matches due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the team.
pic.twitter.com/OXQwAo4Abg— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) September 16, 2021
pic.twitter.com/OXQwAo4Abg
The NWSL issued the Spirit a $25,000 fine on Thursday after the team violated multiple coronavirus protocols. The league also awarded the Portland Thorns a 3-0 win over Washington, forcing the Spirit to forfeit the game initially scheduled for Sept. 4. The move came after the Spirit were also forced to forfeit their Sept. 12 matchup against OL Reign after breaching the league’s health and safety protocols.
“We, the members of the Washington Spirit organization, sincerely apologize and take full responsibility for breaking protocols that forced our previous two matches to be canceled,” the Spirit said in a statement released to Twitter.
According to the Washington Post, three players on the Spirit violated the NWSL’s COVID -19 rules and guidelines.