The allegations have rocked the league, leading to the firing of a coach (Paul Riley), the resignation of the commissioner (Lisa Baird), the resignation of a team owner from his role as CEO and managing partner (Steve Baldwin), open letters from other owners, and the launch of several investigations from different governing bodies. And there’s seemingly more fallout by the day.
Beginning with the NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit match on Wednesday and followed by matches in Cary, N.C. and Portland, Ore., players from both teams, including the benches, stopped play in the 6th minute. They joined together at the center circle locked arm in arm and crowds responded with spontaneous applause and a standing ovation for the players.
“Teams will stop play in each of tonight’s games at the sixth minute,” said a player statement read on air during Wednesday’s CBS Sports Network broadcast of the Gotham FC-Spirit match. “Players are joining together in solidarity for one minute in recognition of the six years it took for Mana Shim, Sinead Farrelly and all those who fought far too long to be heard. We ask that fans join us in this reckoning and in our pursuit of a league that deserves the players in it.”
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Gotham FC midfielder McCall Zerboni provided more insight into the players’ actions:
Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim, who were the two former players who stepped forward to share their stories with The Athletic, were both moved by the demonstrations:
Simultaneously with the first match stoppage, the NWSL Players Association shared for the first time a list of eight demands of the league related to the scope, subjects and findings of the investigations, as well as the search for a new commissioner.
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Portland Thorns players went a step further and listed their own demands to their club. Veteran players Christine Sinclair, Crystal Dunn, Meghan Klingenberg, Lindsey Horan and their Thorns teammates shared the same post on their social platforms with one of the requests being that general manager Gavin Wilkinson be placed on administrative leave until the conclusion of an investigation. Minutes later the club issued a statement confirming it had followed through:
It was a momentous night in the NWSL as captured by the reactions from fans, media and players on social media:
