
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46759606/10516642_849767455055795_2532909508513710495_n.0.0.jpg)
“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. “An ultimate decision about Clarkson’s future with the Dash will be made based on the final results of the ongoing investigation. “The suspension comes in light of initial findings, received this week, from the joint NWSL and NWSLPA investigation that was launched last year to review current and historic complaints of discrimination, harassment and abuse. The club, who intend to name an interim head coach soon, said in a statement: “The Houston Dash announced that it has suspended head coach and general manager James Clarkson, effective immediately. All rights reserved.Clarkson’s suspension was recommended by the NWSL as well as the league’s players’ association (NWSLPA), with the Dash indicating the coach’s future would be decided after the investigation’s findings are released. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. Soccer Federation has retained former acting attorney general Sally Yates to conduct an independent investigation, which remains ongoing. In addition to the joint NWSL and NWSLPA investigation, the U.S. And Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames resigned in November amid allegations that ranged from verbal abuse to jokes about players' ethnicity and religion and improper expectations that players spend time with him beyond practice. The Washington Spirit fired coach Richie Burke that same month following a Washington Post story that featured allegations he created an abusive work environment for his players.

The fallout included the resignation of then-NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird. Similar issues beset the league in 2021 when the North Carolina Courage fired coach Paul Riley over mounting accusations of sexual misconduct toward his players when he previously coached the Portland Thorns. Before that, he served as the academy director for Houston's MLS counterpart, the Dynamo, and coached the club's Premier Development League affiliate. Any such allegations are absolutely not true."Ĭlarkson, 50, was named coach of the Dash ahead of the 2019 season. "As a coach I love the team and have always respected my players and staff. In a statement Wednesday, Clarkson denied the allegations. 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. In a joint release, the NWSL and NWSLPA recommended that Clarkson be "suspended immediately pending the conclusion" of the investigation. "The Club has made counseling services available to all members of the organization interested." "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 said in a statement.

The Dash will await the final report before deciding Clarkson's future. Per a news release, the club received initial findings from a joint investigation by the NWSL and NWSL Players Association that began last year. Houston opens its National Women's Soccer League regular season Sunday against the expansion San Diego Wave. Greg Abbott last month, bans racial discrimination based on hairstyles such as Afros, braids and cornrows in the workplace, schools and housing. The Dash said an interim coach would be named in the coming days. The Houston Dash suspended head coach and general manager James Clarkson on Tuesday due to an ongoing investigation to "review current and historic complaints of discrimination, harassment and abuse." Houston Dash suspend head coach, general manager James Clarkson amid harassment investigation
HOUSTON DASH DISCRIMINATION UPGRADE
You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
