Symbolic picture of female soccer players / Image: APA / AFP / HAZEM BADER
In women’s football, allegations of abuse are being made public in more and more countries or these have consequences. In the American professional league NWSL, Steve Baldwin said goodbye as managing partner of Washington Spirit via Twitter. In Venezuela, 24 players from various national teams have accused an ex-coach of sexual harassment and abuse. And investigations were announced in Australia after allegations.
Lisa De Vanna said when she recently resigned that she had been the victim of sexual assault, harassment and bullying during her career. The 36-year-old had played for the national team 150 times. “There have to be consequences,” she said in an interview. Rhali Dobson, who also recently resigned, said she had been abused by older players. Australia's association has now launched investigations into the cases.
US league in turmoil
In the US, activists signed a letter after Baldwin's resignation. They asked him to sell his shares to co-owner Y. Michele Kang. There is no trust in the successor Ben Olsen, who is still installed by Baldwin himself. Coach Richie Burke had lost his position at Spirit the week before after allegations about his dealings with the players became public.
The whole league has been in turmoil for days. The trigger were allegations against the coach of the North Carolina Courage team, Paul Riley, who was sacked after a report by the portal “The Athletic” as a result of alleged sexual abuse of two players. As a result, it became known that the NWSL had ignored evidence and swept them under the carpet. League boss Lisa Baird resigned.
Christy Holly was fired as a coach at Racing Louisville in August after players complained about a “toxic environment”. A new governing body in the NWSL and an independent investigation should clear up the allegations and stabilize the league.
Venezuela's stars go public
The allegations in Venezuela are against Kenneth Zseremeta. The 55-year-old had coached various selection teams before he was fired in 2017. Atletico Madrid star player Deyna Castellanos published the letter on social media. The players said they had “decided to break their silence in order to avoid situations of abuse and harassment – physical, psychological and sexual – in the future.”
Zseremeta now trains women's teams in his home country Panama, he has not yet commented on the allegations. Jorge Gimenez, President of the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF), said in a statement: “We are committed to the integrity of the sport and are ready to enforce the rights of our players. It is time to fight for respect and fairness.”
