Women’s Soccer League Cancels Weekend Games After Sex Allegations

(Bloomberg) -- The National Women’s Soccer League has cancelled all weekend games after the former head coach of the North Carolina Courage team was fired over allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct.

“I am so sorry for the pain so many are feeling,” NWSL 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. Business as usual isn’t our concern right now. Our entire league has a great deal of healing to do, and our players deserve so much better. We have made this decision in collaboration with our players association and this pause will be the first step as we collectively work to transform the culture of this league, something that is long overdue.”

North Carolina Courage fired coach Paul Riley Thursday after multiple accusations of sexual harassment and coercion over the course of a decade, following an investigation by The Athletic. Riley, who had previously been fired from the Portland Thorns in 2015 in the wake of similar allegations, had his coaching license suspended effective immediately by the NWSL.

Riley was the second NWSL coach to be fired for abusive behavior this week, following the dismissal of the Washington Spirit's Richie Burke. A third coach, Christy Holly, was fired by the Racing Louisville FC "for cause" in August.

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