‘Horrifying and disturbing’: Players react to accusations against ex-NC Courage coach
The former head coach of the North Carolina Courage soccer team is facing allegations of sexual coercion, leaving many prominent players disgusted.
Coach Paul Riley was fired by the team Thursday due to a “very serious allegations of misconduct,” officials said.
Meanwhile, the National Women’s Soccer League players’ union said it wanted an investigation as allegations surfaced on Thursday morning, The News & Observer reported.
In a report published in The Athletic, Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim accused Riley of coercion and socializing with players while working on other teams. He reportedly told the outlet the allegations were “completely untrue” and said “I have never had sex with, or made sexual advances towards these players.”
The National Women’s Soccer League on Friday said it was canceling this weekend’s games.
“I am so sorry for the pain so many are feeling,” commissioner Lisa Baird said in a statement. “Recognizing that trauma, we have decided not to take the field this weekend to give everyone some space to reflect.”
Here’s how some prominent soccer players reacted to the accusations against Riley on social media:
This story was originally published October 1, 2021 at 10:20 AM with the headline "‘Horrifying and disturbing’: Players react to accusations against ex-NC Courage coach."
