NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman says the ongoing investigation into systemic abuse in the NWSL, conducted jointly by the league and the NWSL Players Association, is even more important now that the findings of the Yates report have been made public.
The Yates report, released on Oct. 3, revealed the depth of systemic sexual and emotional abuse perpetrated by some of the league’s former managers. The report also detailed how league and U.S. Soccer Federation executives ignored reports from players of that abuse and in some cases allowed the alleged perpetrators to keep coaching.
– Carlisle: The Yates report explained
Berman, in an exclusive interview with ESPN ahead of Sunday’s NWSL playoff semifinal matches, said those findings haven’t diminished the importance of the joint investigation, which is expected to be complete by the end of the year. Berman noted that the investigation is still needed to expose further incidents of abusive behavior, as well as take further corrective action and institute additional reforms.
“In order for this league and the players to heal, and to rebuild the foundation, credibility and trust in the league, we have to make sure that the player association in particular is comfortable and confident in the process,” Berman said. “And for that reason, the joint investigation is absolutely paramount to our ability to move forward because they have a seat at the table in the sort of oversight, from a process perspective, in how the joint investigation has been carried out since last November.”
Earlier this month, in an interview with CNN, U.S. Soccer Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone said three additional reports of abuse had been brought to the USSF’s attention and had been forwarded on to the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Berman added that the reporting of additional cases isn’t something the league should shy away from.
“We can’t be afraid of allowing that to happen,” Berman said about reporting new cases. “That’s what needs to happen. That means that the process and the system is working as intended because we’d be fooling ourselves to think that misconduct in all work environments doesn’t happen. Of course it happens. The key to a healthy environment is, of course, trying to limit those situations through education and training, which we absolutely are focused on. And also creating the kind of culture where people feel free of retaliation, free of reprisal, and have faith that if they raise their hand and bring a complaint forward, that it will be taken seriously and investigated to conclusion.”
