American Football Players Condemn Federal Center Against Abuse
NEW YORK (AP/RTR) — U.S. national football players are slamming the federal center that handles complaints of abuse in sports. According to the players, the body, SafeSport, fails at the goal for which it was founded, which is a safer sporting climate. “There are major errors in operations,” read a letter sent by 23 foreigners to the US Congress. They ask the representatives of the people to intervene.
American soccer players made their complaint shortly before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, in which the team is the defending champion. They are calling for change just months after an independent investigation revealed abuse and sexual misconduct at multiple teams in the NSWL First Division.
SafeSport was created by Congress in 2017 as an independent body to address violations in sport and create an environment to prevent inappropriate behavior. Internationals say it has not succeeded. “SafeSport was founded with noble and important intentions, but we believe the current situation will fail to achieve what it should have achieved,” said the players.
They particularly condemn the agency’s appeals and arbitration procedures, which players say “can be harmful and traumatic for victims of abuse.”
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