USA Curling CEO Jeff Plush has resigned, three weeks after a broadcast soccer investigation report discovered Plush, who was commissioner of the NWSL from 2014 to 2017, was conscious of allegations of sexual harassment and coercion in opposition to a coach, however didn’t do something to stop the coach from persevering with within the league.
“In current months, our relationship with this [curling] neighborhood has been broken,” the USA Curling board said in a press release saying Dean Gemmell as interim CEO. “We have now not communicated successfully, and a few consider now we have not listened. There was anger, frustration, and confusion.
“Our precedence is to rebuild belief. To start out that course of, right this moment we lead with motion.”
In line with an investigation by former U.S. Lawyer Normal Sally Yates, Plush was conscious of abuse allegations in opposition to Portland Thorns coach Paul Riley however didn’t do something to stop him from teaching within the league. The report additionally stated Plush didn’t reply to requests for an interview as a part of the investigation, which uncovered years of systemic emotional abuse and sexual misconduct.
USA Curling beforehand launched a press release saying an investigation discovered Plush “acted in accordance with prioritizing the protection of athletes.”
After Yates’ report was launched, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland despatched a letter to workers that stated the federation was involved with USA Curling.
However USA Curling’s variety job power known as upon Hirshland to take away Plush from the place he has held since 2020; failing that, it known as upon the USA Curling board of administrators to resign. It additionally requested an investigation into how USA Curling has dealt with any abuse allegations throughout Plush’s tenure.
In line with the report into sexual misconduct in soccer, Thorns participant Mana Shim knowledgeable Plush in 2015 about Riley’s advances, in addition to his retaliation when she requested him to cease. Plush forwarded Shim’s e mail to U.S. Soccer, however the league took no motion in opposition to Riley.
Because the report was launched on Oct. 3, Riley, who denied the allegations, was fired as head coach of the North Carolina Braveness; NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird stepped down; and Thorns and Portland Timbers proprietor Merritt Paulson stepped down because the groups’ COO.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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