The Irish women’s national team coach labelled weight shaming claims in the NWSL “absolutely ridiculous and false.” “There’s no truth in it,” Vera Pauw said Friday ahead of two matches against the US, the first at Austin’s Q2 Stadium on Saturday. Pauw, who coached the Houston Dash in 2018, was accused of misbehaviour in a December league report.
The NWSL and players union reported widespread abuse and mistreatment of players. It followed a U.S. Soccer investigation that uncovered widespread emotional abuse and sexual misconduct affecting several teams, coaches, and players. According to the study, players said Pauw wanted to manage “every aspect of (their) lives,” including “everything you were putting in your body, every exercise you were doing.” She also body shamed a player who pulled up her top to wipe her face, according to the allegation.
Former Dutch international Pauw vehemently defended herself. Irish women’s coach since 2019. I can only tell the truth. “My team management is flawless,” she remarked. That report falsely claims body shaming. I never body shame. My dressing room has no scale or fat percentages. The findings stated that Pauw did not comply with the investigation and must bear responsibility if she returns to the league. Pauw denounced gender inequality. “If I were a man, who would care about something like that?” she added. “People said, ‘It is your task to prepare the players to be the best on the pitch. Coaches must learn and share their information with players.
She stressed player and female coach safety. Pauw accused a Dutch football official of sexual molestation last year. Two players accused former Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley of sexual coercion and misconduct in 2021. Riley, who was banned by the league, refuted The Athletic’s assertions. On Friday, Ireland called up Sinead Farrelly. Before adding Farrelly, Pauw made sure she was comfortable. Ireland and the US are practising for this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. St. Louis hosts the second match on Tuesday.
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