NWSL Investigates Coach as Oshoala's Posts Spark Bullying Allegations
The The United States National Women’s Soccer League has initiated an independent probe into Bay FC following accusations of harassment and a poisonous work atmosphere leveled against head coach Albertin Montoya, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
The Chronicle disclosed that two ex-players from Bay FC characterized the team’s atmosphere under Montoya during its first season in 2024 as 'poisonous.' Additionally, two other previous staffers mentioned that this toxic setting led multiple personnel and athletes to leave the organization earlier than expected.
After the release of the report, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) released a statement announcing the commencement of an official investigation. They said, "In light of the details provided to the league, we have decided to launch a thorough examination into the interactions between the coaching personnel and athletes from Bay FC. We will proceed with the required actions according to the outcomes of this inquiry."
The NWSL stated that an autonomous external entity would carry out the examination with unrestricted parameters. They detailed the procedure that would oversee the inquiry, suggesting that the assessment would be both impartial and thorough. Despite this, Commissioner Jessica Berman cautioned against jumping to conclusions of misconduct merely due to the initiation of a review.
In response to the issue, Bay FC reaffirmed their dedication to fostering a nurturing atmosphere for all team members. They highlighted that they prioritize player well-being above all else and stressed the importance of receiving input from those involved. The club mentioned working closely with the league to conduct an extensive review of the circumstances prior to deciding on subsequent steps.
The Nigerian national team player, Asisat Oshoala, who represents the club based in San Jose, has also made enigmatic comments regarding the issue.
Sharing a post on her X account, Oshoala raised doubts about how often mental health support seems necessary, implying this indicates more profound problems within the setting.
How is it possible for individuals to require mental health support annually? It frightens me... By the end of this year, it could potentially shift towards needing psychiatric assistance.
She posted again expressing her hesitation to go to work, mentioning, "Feeling drained from waking up and being unwilling to head to work due to having someone reliant on me!"
As reported by The Chronicle, at least two official grievances were submitted against Montoya throughout the 2024 season. A third-party investigator commissioned by Bay FC examined one of these complaints and found it to be without merit. The second grievance, which alleged bullying behavior, was made anonymously via the league’s dedicated platform, RealResponse. As for this particular complaint, its current standing has yet to be disclosed.
The coaching staff at Bay FC apparently got the second-worst approval rating in the July 2024 NWSL player survey. According to the players, this was due to issues like inadequate communication, opacity about playtime, and refusals to grant individual sessions with the coaches.
Even so, Montoya, who was named Bay FC’s inaugural head coach in 2023, supported the team’s frequent changes in roster, stating in January, "Whenever a player decides not to stay or seeks alternative opportunities, we reflect internally first. Could we have handled something differently? Did we put forth our greatest efforts to assist this player?... We make mistakes sometimes, yet it remains an inclusive endeavor."
Initially, Bay FC Sporting Director Matt Potter refuted having knowledge of any grievances against Montoya. However, he subsequently admitted that ownership had examined and resolved one complaint for lack of "evidence regarding improper conduct."
The circumstances are notably delicate considering the NWSL’s recent troubles. Back in 2021, numerous scandals resulted in the firing or stepping down of various coaches and general managers. Just last month, the league committed to a $5 million compensation package for athletes who suffered from previous misconducts. To implement changes, they introduced a screening procedure for hiring new coaches and set up more robust avenues for players to voice their grievances confidentially.
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