Christine Sinclair, teammates demand change amid sex abuse scandal in women’s soccer

PORTLAND (NEWS 1130) – Christine Sinclair has added her voice to growing calls for change in the National Women’s Soccer League, amid a sexual abuse scandal that continues to grip the association.

The Burnaby native took to Twitter Wednesday to post a poignant statement on behalf of her teammates.

“We, the players of the Portland Thorns, are devastated and heartbroken in learning of the horrifying events that occurred within the NWSL and the Portland Thorns’ role in those events,” reads the statement, which also details players’ demands for change.

TOGETHER pic.twitter.com/tfLekMtSYU

— Christine Sinclair (@sincy12) October 7, 2021

Portland Thorns FC has been accused of turning a blind eye to harassment of at least two of its players — Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim — by former head coach Raul Riley.

Riley, who is the coach for the North Carolina Courage, has also been accused of sexual coercion.

The players go on to offer “unwavering support” to “all the players who have come forward to tell their truths, including those who are still struggling in silence,” breaking their silence.

“While we have remained silent in the public eye for several days, within our locker room we’ve been grieving, reflecting, asking difficult questions of the club, gathering facts, and engaging in daily discussions,” the statement reads.

They go on to say the Portland Thorns have led the way in women’s soccer globally, adding “but this does not exempt the club from addressing its failures.”

During Wednesday night’s NWSL action, players stopped on the field in the sixth minute and linked arms in a circle to demonstrate solidarity with the two former players who came forward with the claims against Riley.

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— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 6, 2021

The league has since launched an independent investigation into its handling of abuse claims.

The alleged harassment of Farrelly started in 2011 when she was a player with the Philadelphia Independence of the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer league.

She told The Athletic that harassment continued when she was with the Thorns. The team said it investigated claims about Riley and passed those on to the league when he was dismissed.

After Riley was let go by the Thorns, he became head coach of the Western New York Flash for a season before the team was sold and moved to North Carolina.

“We the players believe that there is an opportunity for the club to learn from these failures and strive to set a standard of accountability and transparency throughout the league,” the Thorns players’ statement continues. “We must recognize that sustainable, systemic change comes from reflection, active listening, collaboration, and action. By thoroughly evaluating the past decisions of the club, we can identify where necessary changes are needed.”

The players have demanded Portland Thorns GM Gavin Wilkinson be placed on administrative leave and be investigated — something the team announced it was doing Wednesday night.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Effectively immediately, Portland Thorns FC have placed general manager/president of soccer Gavin Wilkinson on administrative leave from Thorns duties pending the results of the outside independent investigation, which is ongoing.

— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) October 7, 2021

The players have also asked for there to be an “increase in the diversity of voices within the club’s board of executives, as well as increased transparency, accountability, and cooperations between players and front office.

“More broadly, we envision a league in which: a safe work environment is paramount; players’ voices are the driving force towards growth; accountability is swift, fair, and thorough; all clubs within the league are doing everything in their power to act in the best interest of the players; and where all players are free to play the game they love with joy,” the Thorns players’ statement continues.