October 02, (THEWILL) – Reports monitored by THEWILL claim that National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) commissioner Lisa Baird and general counsel Lisa Levine have been fired by the league’s board of directors.
According to numerous sources, the decisions have been communicated to the league’s players and come only one day after The Athletic published an article detailing allegations of sexual coercion against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley, as THEWILL reported.
It is unclear who might take over in either job.
The news follows The Athletic’s investigation in which former players accused Riley of inappropriate behaviour that covered three clubs and three leagues starting in 2011. Riley was fired by the North Carolina Courage within hours after the report was published, citing “very serious allegations of misconduct.”
Players from across the league slammed the NWSL’s response after the revelation surfaced on Thursday, claiming the organisation had been made aware of Riley’s behaviour on many times and had failed its players.
On Friday, the NWSL confirmed that matches scheduled for this weekend would be cancelled due to the Riley scandal.
Concerned by the details emerging from the scandal, world football governing body confirmed on Friday “that FIFA’s judicial bodies are actively looking into the matter and have opened a preliminary investigation.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
