In the first game since the sexual scandal break, Gotham FC and Washington Spirit players stopped their game in the sixth minute (in recognition of the six years it took the victims to be heard) to stand in solidarity with all the victims of abuse in the NWSL as chants from the river end of the stadium broke through:
“No. More. Silence.”
A game of missed opportunities saw Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit end things in a 0-0 draw.
The NWSL Players’ Association confirmed that this will happen in all the games played on return from a nine-day hiatus.
The NWSL returned from its self-imposed break, which included the postponement of this past weekend’s matches after two coaches — the North Carolina Courage’s Paul Riley and the Spirit’s Richie Burke — were fired amid abuse accusations. Commissioner Lisa Baird resigned Friday night, with a three-woman executive committee taking over league operations, and Spirit CEO and controlling owner Steve Baldwin announced in a statement Tuesday morning that he was stepping down “at the recent request of our players.”
The league is immediately launching several critical investigative and reform initiatives to protect players and staff, and the environments in which athletes live, train, and compete to give athletes the agency and ability to safely report misconduct of any form.
Among the messages draped around the stadium: “Protect our players,” “#BelieveBlackPlayers,” “#NoMoreSideHustles” and “We support Spirit fans. Sell the team, Baldwin.”
MOLATsportgist 