NC Courage fire coach Paul Riley amid sexual harassment allegations

North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley has been sacked after he was accused of sexual harassment and misconduct. The National Women’s Soccer League outfit announced that Riley will be replaced with his assistant Sean Nahas until the end of the current season. 

The alleged misconduct, which includes claims of sexual coercion, stretched back more than a decade, according to the detailed account by The Athletic.

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Riley started as the NC Courage coach in 2017. He has also coached Portland Thorns and Western New York Flash. 

His contract at the North Carolina-based franchise was terminated with immediate effect after a number of the 58-year-old’s former players came forward to accuse him of sexual coercion. 

Accusations:

Former NWSL players Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim recounted their experiences with Riley to The Athletic. The alleged harassment of Farrelly started in 2011 when she was a player with the Philadelphia Independence of the Women’s Professional Soccer league.

She told the website that the abuse continued when Farrelly was with the Portland Thorns. Shim, a former Thorns player, also allegedly experienced harassment. Both women are no longer playing in the NWSL.

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However, Riley told The Athletic the allegations were “completely untrue.”

Sam Mewis, a player for the Courage and the World Cup-winning U.S. national team, posted her support for Farrelly and Shim on social media.

“The physical and psychological safety of the players in the NWSL is of the utmost importance,” Mewis wrote. “I’m still processing and reflecting on how I can be part of making a safer environment for players.”

National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Lisa Baird said in a statement that the league is referring the allegations to the US Center for SafeSport for investigation.

“A safe and secure work environment is a top priority for the league and its collective ownership,” Baird said in the statement.

US soccer said it is suspending Riley’s coaching license.

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“US Soccer is in communication with the NWSL as they review this matter and will work with them to ensure meaningful steps are taken to ensure a safe and supportive environment across the league,” the federation said.

The Courage released a statement on behalf of team owners, the staff and players commending the women who came forward.

“The North Carolina Football Club is united together in our commitment to creating a safe, positive, and respectful environment, not only within our club but across the league and our great sport,” the statement said.

With inputs from the Associated Press