Garber and MLS declined to comment.
That trust and confidence could be shattered by accusations that Thorns ignored complaints of sexual abuse and speech against Riley, covering for him despite firing him for the conduct. his vigil and encourage him to transfer to new teams, and then work to thwart Yates’ investigators.
For a year, Thorns fans have been torn about how to draw the line between backing players on a team run by people they believe are failing them, with some still greedy. attended the matches but boycotted the merchandise stalls and made concessions, while others simply did not participate.
Rachel Greenough, 39, a member of Rose City Riveters, a Thorns advocacy group that called for Paulson’s sale, said: “Many friends and colleagues who volunteered have stopped participating in the games a long time ago. “They feel as if they can’t be at that stadium because it’s like a mental burden that they don’t want to take, or they don’t want to give money to the organization. I completely understand that.”
The team’s failure to act on player complaints about Riley, and the steps some Thorns executives – including Paulson – have taken to help him land another NWSL job, do not can be blamed on ignorance. As the report made clear, the team knew everything.
In fact, The Thorns fired Riley after the 2015 season, days after a player, Meleana Shim, made a formal complaint to the team that Riley had sexually harassed her, presiding over a workplace malicious and forced her and another player to kiss in front of her. his.
That decision was made, however, only after years of complaints. Riley’s sexual misconduct was then a “public secret” – known to players, coaches, owners and assistant general managers for another team, according to the report. Players complain in surveys. The Thorns athletics coach told her superiors that Riley went against medical advice and put the players at risk. Riley also had many romantic relationships with players throughout his coaching career.
Overall, the report painted a picture of a coach crossing every conceivable boundary and whose behavior was reported to those in charge, yet his contract was only terminated after his team missed the knockout stages for the first time. The Thorns then actively supported Riley to get another job in the NWSL, with the Western New York Flash.
