#Houston dash discrimination professional#
#Houston dash discrimination series#

The Houston Dash are the latest NWSL team to deal with reports of discrimination and harassment. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, who began her job April 20, thanked the people who raised concerns and for the team for “taking swift action.” NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke said the investigation “is doing the work of systemic transformation.” Houston also said that an “ultimate decision” about Clarkson’s future as a leader and coach will be “based on the final results of an ongoing investigation.” The team announced the suspension, which was recommended by the league and NWSLPA. “As an organization, our highest priority is creating and maintaining a safe and respectful work environment for our players and staff, which we believe is critical to our success on the pitch,” the Dash statement said.Ĭlarkson was named head coach of Houston Dash in December 2018 after spending more than a decade with the men’s youth soccer training program Houston Dynamo Academy.ĬNN’s David Close contributed to this report.HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Dash suspended general manager and head coach James Clarkson on Tuesday after the team received a report on a joint investigation by the National Women’s Soccer League and its players’ association into alleged discrimination, harassment and abuse. In light of Clarkson’s suspension and the ongoing investigation into him, the Dash said it has made counseling available to any members of the organization who may need it. The work continues, and we commend Players for speaking up and speaking out.”

“This shows that our joint investigation is doing the work of systemic transformation. “Players made a promise to ourselves and future generations to transform our League – not through words, but with our actions,” NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke said in a statement Tuesday.

#Houston dash discrimination series#

“Tonight, we reclaim our place on the field, because we will not let our joy be taken from us,” NWSLPA said when announcing moments of silence that would be observed during a series of October games.

National Women's Soccer League players pause mid-match in act of solidarity following allegations of sexual misconductĬlarkson’s suspension and the league-wide investigation follows a difficult season for NWSL during which several coaches resigned or were dismissed due to misconduct allegations.įollowing the firing of North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley in October amid accusations of sexual coercion, which Riley has denied, the NWSL Players Association organized acts of solidarity on the field and released a list of demands in an effort to create “systematic transformation” within the league. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports/Sipa Chester, Pennsylvania, USA Players stop the match during the first half of a NWSL soccer match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit in a protest at Subaru Park. CNN has been unable to reach Clarkson or his representatives for comment. The statement did not give details about any allegations involving Clarkson. An ultimate decision on his position with the Dash will be made once final results of the investigation are available, the team said. Immediate suspension of “any person in a position of power” under investigation for possible abuse was part of the players’ union’s demands.Ĭlarkson’s suspension is effective immediately and the team said it will name an interim head coach in the coming days. In October, the NWSL agreed to demands from the NWSLPA to conduct a joint investigation into current or past complaints of discrimination, harassment, abuse or bullying within all 12 NWSL teams. The decision comes at the recommendation of a joint investigative team from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and NWSL Players Association that is conducting an ongoing investigation into misconduct and policy violations within the league.

#Houston dash discrimination professional#

Women’s professional soccer team Houston Dash suspended its head coach and general manager James Clarkson after reviewing the initial findings of an investigation into league-wide allegations of wrongdoing, the team announced on Twitter Tuesday.