Alex Morgan blasts NWSL for not doing more to protect players from sexual harassment

by Olafimihan Oshin - 10/05/21 5:39 PM ET

U.S. women’s national soccer team star Alex Morgan blasted the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) on Tuesday for not doing more to protect players from sexual harassment.

During an appearance on NBC’s “Today,” Morgan joined Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly, two NWSL players who shared sexual harassment allegations against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley.

Riley was fired by the club last month amid allegations of sexual coercion and psychological abuse spanning a decade, including making comments about his players’ weight and sexual orientation, according to The Athletic.

“I’m here to support Mana and Sinead and to continue to amplify their voices, and just show the systemic failure from the league and how wrong they did in handling Mana’s case and complaint and investigation and where they failed Mana and Sinead, and probably many other women,” Morgan told Today host Savannah Guthrie.

“It’s bigger than the sport. This is about safety in our own lives … the players deserve that.”

Watch @SavannahGuthrie’s full interview with soccer stars Mana Shim, Sinead Farrelly and Alex Morgan on the sexual abuse allegations rocking the National Women’s Soccer League. pic.twitter.com/2RD98k7lWp

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 5, 2021

Morgan, who plays professionally for the Orlando Pride, also said that the league needs to be “proactive” by setting up policies that protect its players.

“We’ve now started to put these things in place, by demand of players, not by the league being proactive. Something we ask is for the league to start being proactive, not reactive. We’re asking for transparency,” Morgan said.

Morgan’s remarks come as Washington Spirit CEO Steve Baldwin announced Tuesday that he’s stepping down amid allegations that he oversaw a toxic workplace.

“I have no doubt made some mistakes, but my efforts and focus were always on building a professional experience for our players, the club’s profile and the beautiful game in the DMV. I hope that stepping back removes me as a distraction and allows the club to thrive,” Baldwin said in his statement.