Thread by @CBCLarsen

A few thoughts about the story regarding the 2007/2008 Whitecaps women’s team and U20 Canadian Women’s National team, which I’ve reported on. #VWFC cbc.ca/news/canada/br…

Both the Whitecaps + Canada Soccer refer to the independent ombudsperson they hired in 2008 as defense they acted appropriately on the players’ allegations. So let’s see the ombudsperson’s report then. I’ve asked both organizations for it but received no response.

That report is what led to the “mutual decision” to part ways with the coach. He was not fired, nor subjected to consequences which would stop him from getting another job coaching teenage girls, which he did almost immediately.

If Canada Soccer and the Whitecaps want to defend their actions in 2008, public disclosure of the report would surely help their case one would think, given that they keep referencing it.

I’ve spoken with the ombudsperson. She signed an NDA with the Whitecaps + Canada Soccer so can't speak about the report’s content. But she did tell me the terms of what she was hired to do, which was; 1/ investigate, and; 2/ present facts to both organizations.

She told me the terms of her investigation did NOT include making any recommendations about consequences for the coach. And she said she didn't make any recommendations. Which is strange because Whitecaps + Canada Soccer statements contain wording to the effect...

"...upon conclusion of the investigation the ombudsperson had no recommendations" which makes it sound like she didn't find wrongdoing, or that she was signing off on the "mutual decision" to part ways with the coach. But in reality...

...she didn’t make any recommendations because she wasn’t hired to make recommendations.

Ultimately, the report might not be that interesting, especially given the assertion from Andrea Neil that the investigation was rushed and flawed in numerous ways.
cbc.ca/news/canada/br…

But releasing the report would certainly bring some clarity to this situation. The women involved, who were teens at the time, deserve some answers.
cbc.ca/news/canada/br…

And all they're asking is to understand how this coach was able to continue coaching young women, in the hopes that lessons will be learned so it doesn't happen again. Doesn’t seem like a big ask.