LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Racing Louisville FC has to pay a $200,000 fine and hire a new coaching staff in the wake of an investigative report detailing sexual abuse from a former coach, the National Women's Soccer League announced Monday.
What You Need To Know
- Racing Louisville has been fined $200,000 by the NWSL
- The club must also hire a "sporting staff" distinct from the men's team, with which it shares ownership
- The actions stem from a pair of abuse reports that allege former head coach Christy Holly sexually abused a defender
- Other clubs, including the Portland Thorns and Chicago Red Stars, face fines of over $1 million
The fine was one of many unveiled in the NWSL's corrective action statement released Monday afternoon. The Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns have to pay over $1 million in fines each.
Additionally, the NWSL banned Richie Burke, Rory Dames, Paul Riley and Christy Holly, all NWSL coaches implicated in the investigation.
The fines and actions stem from a pair of reports from the NWSL, NWSL Player's Association and former acting AG Sally Yates detailing rampant abuse and misconduct in U.S. women's soccer.
In Racing Louisville's case, former head coach Christy Holly allegedly sexually abused former Racing defender Erin Simon. Holly would send her explicit text messages, invite her over to his house and touch her inappropriately, the reports said. Simon also told of a disturbing incident in which Holly compelled her to watch game film and said he was going to touch her for every mistake she made. Simon said he forced his hands down her pants and up her shirt.
When Simon later reported the misconduct to club management, Holly was fired within hours and the club issued a statement, saying he was fired, “for cause.”
In the joint report, the NWSL and NWSLPA said the club should’ve done more to vet Holly and protect the players.
The report claims the club management of Racing Louisville did not appropriately respond to players’ reports about Holly’s conduct. As early as June 2021, players reported Holly had “shouted at” and “personally attacked players.” Management responded by holding a joint meeting with players and coaching staff, which players said created a “fear of retaliation” which discouraged them from reporting further concerns.
In addition to the $200,000 fine, the NWSL said Racing will be required to "hire a sporting staff (i.e., coaches and general managers) that is completely distinct from the men’s team with which it shares ownership, and the Racing Louisville staff must report directly into ownership."
Racing Louisville FC is owned by Soccer Holdings LLC, which also owns the USL's Louisville City FC. Both teams operate out of Lynn Family Stadium.
"All corrective action fines will be used solely in furtherance of systemic reform and to directly and positively impact the lives of players, such as expanding mental health resources and positive culture-building and enhancing coaching education and development. In order to effectively deploy this investment in our future, the league will work in conjunction with the NWSL Players Association and with the advice and support of outside subject-matter experts," the NWSL said in a statement.
The NWSLPA called the corrective actions a "critical step" toward holding clubs and team leaders accountable in a statement on social media.
The NWSL Draft is being held Thursday, Jan. 12 in Philadelphia.
Chris Hughes contributed to this report. This story may be updated.