Latest news with #DebevoisePlimpton
Al Arabiya
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Investigation Finds Bay FC Coach Did Not Violate the NWSL's Harassment and Bullying Policy
An independent investigation found that Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya did not violate the National Women's Soccer League's antiharassment, discrimination, and bullying policy, but found shortcomings in his communication style. The investigation stemmed from a report in the San Francisco Chronicle in March that described a toxic work environment. At least two formal complaints had been made about the team, the newspaper reported. Montoya was investigated for alleged violations of the 'Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying.' The findings were announced Tuesday. All parties cooperated with the investigation, which was conducted by New York–based law firm Debevoise & Plimpton. 'The league conducted a comprehensive review and determined Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya was not in violation of any league rules,' Bay FC said in a statement in response to the league's announcement. 'We are grateful the league has identified opportunities for additional communication improvements, which we are and have been implementing. We strive to be a player-centric club and will continue to work hard to make sure we have a supportive environment for our players. We believe in the culture we are building at Bay FC and will continue to support our players' growth on and off the pitch.' Among the findings were recommendations to facilitate more effective communication and enhance support structures, which the NWSL, Bay FC, and coach Montoya have taken and are continuing to take to address such concerns, the league said. The NWSL was rocked by an abuse and misconduct scandal in 2021. Five coaches resigned or were fired in the aftermath. In response, the NWSL implemented changes to protect players, including enhanced vetting of club employees and an anonymous tip line for players. The NWSL Players Association also negotiated safeguards in its collective-bargaining agreement with the league.
Associated Press
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Investigation finds Bay FC coach did not violate the NWSL's harassment and bullying policy
An independent investigation found that Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya did not violate the National Women's Soccer League's antiharassment, discrimination and bullying policy, but found shortcomings in his communication style. The investigation stemmed from a report in the San Francisco Chronicle in March that described a 'toxic' work environment. At least two formal complaints had been made about the team, the newspaper reported. Montoya was investigated for alleged violations of the Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying. The findings were announced Tuesday. All parties cooperated with the investigation, which was conducted by New York-based law firm Debevoise & Plimpton. 'The league conducted a comprehensive review and determined Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya was not in violation of any league rules,' Bay FC said in a statement in response to the league's announcement. 'We are grateful the league has identified opportunities for additional communication improvements which we are, and have been, implementing. We strive to be a player-centric club and will continue to work hard to make sure we have a supportive environment for our players. We believe in the culture we are building at Bay FC and will continue to support our players' growth on and off the pitch.' Among the findings were recommendations to 'facilitate more effective communication and enhance support structures, which the NWSL, Bay FC and coach Montoya have taken, and are continuing to take, to address such concerns,' the league said. The NWSL was rocked by an abuse and misconduct scandal in 2021. Five coaches resigned or were fired in the aftermath. In response, the NWSL implemented changes to protect players, including enhanced vetting of club employees and an anonymous tip line for players. The NWSL Players Association also negotiated safeguards in its collective-bargaining agreement with the league. ___ AP soccer:
New York Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NWSL investigation clears Albertin Montoya but recommends changes for Bay FC
The independent investigation into Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya did not find any violations of the NWSL's Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying, the league announced Tuesday. However, the inquiry did find 'shortcomings' in Montoya's communication style. Advertisement Montoya will not face a suspension or any corrective actions. He was not suspended when the league opened its investigation in March and has coached the team through the first half of the 2025 season. Following interviews with current and former players and staff, investigators from Debevoise & Plimpton provided recommendations to Bay FC, Montoya and the league concerning communication and support structures, but did not issue any sanctions or punitive measures. The list of recommendations was not provided in the league's statement, though the NWSL noted that all parties 'fully cooperated' with the investigation and are implementing them. 'We are grateful the league has identified opportunities for additional communication improvements which we are, and have been, implementing,' Bay FC said in a statement Tuesday. 'We strive to be a player-centric club and will continue to work hard to make sure we have a supportive environment for our players and staff. We believe in the culture we are building at Bay FC and will continue to support our players' growth on and off the pitch.' The NWSL opened their review of the Bay FC coaching staff in March following two complaints lodged against Montoya, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. The first complaint was made in the summer of 2024, and cleared by the club following its own investigation. Bay FC believe the second complaint was made via its midseason survey, and said in March that the club 'took the feedback very seriously and implemented new procedures to improve our communications across the team.' In the 2024 offseason, the club hired two full time staff members for their player care and development department in an effort to provide additional support. As of March, Bay FC said those improvements included executive coaching for Montoya, as well as 'setting a clear framework around our team values and one team culture, as well as team communications and one on one interactions for staff.' Advertisement Montoya continues to have weekly sessions with an executive coach. Bay FC also has weekly meetings between Montoya and the team captains, and sporting director Matt Potter has weekly meetings with three player representatives outside of the captains group. Montoya meets with the club's mental performance coach twice a week to discuss player sentiment before and after each match. Bay FC has added additional positional meetings this season, and holds individual player touchpoints with the technical staff weekly as well. Every player on Bay FC now has an individual development plan, based on feedback from the technical staff, high performance and mental performance department, and data analytics team. While no statement was issued by NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman on the findings, the league will likely view the process of the Bay FC investigation as proof that the reporting system is working — though there may still be cultural issues around encouraging proactive reporting by players. Compared to findings from the Yates report and the NWSL/NWSLPA joint investigation, however, player feedback from player surveys directly resulted in a club making changes. In March, Berman stressed that the league does not believe every report will end in disciplinary action, as they do not want that to deter players from raising concerns. 'We actually want questions and concerns and potential issues to be brought to our attention early so that we can put the systems in place through education, other resources and tools to make sure that we're supporting our technical staff and our coaches with what they need to be successful,' Berman said ahead of the 2025 season. 'That's a mind shift given the history of this league, which I understand will take some time as we move forward.' Bay FC is training Tuesday. Montoya, as well as players Tess Boade and Abby Dahlkemper, are set to speak to reporters as part of the club's regular media availability. This story will be updated following that availability.
