Bay FC Under Investigation: A Deep Dive into the Allegations and Reactions
In a development that has sent ripples through the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), an investigation has been launched into the technical staff of Bay FC. This was confirmed by NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman on Friday. The news, first reported by The San Francisco Chronicle, has brought to light serious allegations against the club’s head coach, Albertin Montoya.
According to the Chronicle, two former Bay FC players have described the environment under Montoya as “toxic.” Furthermore, the league has been made aware of a formal complaint from a player who alleged “bullying” by Montoya. This has prompted a review by an independent third party, as Berman assured that the system in place is designed to address such issues effectively.
“A review is underway by an independent third party, and we’re very confident that the system we have in place will ensure that we surface the issues that need to be addressed, and that we’ll continue to work with all of our clubs, our technical staff and our players to make sure that we’re achieving our goal of creating a safe, healthy working environment,” Berman stated.
This investigation comes on the heels of the NWSL’s recent $5 million settlement with the attorneys general from New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. This settlement was aimed at closing ongoing investigations and compensating athletes who were mistreated following revelations of “systemic” abuse in 2022.
During a 25-minute news conference on Friday, Berman, who took on the role of commissioner in early 2022, emphasized that the complaints being raised are indicative of the new system’s effectiveness. She reiterated that such procedures and inquiries are “commonplace in most work environments” and stressed that investigations do not imply guilt.
“You want to facilitate an environment where people can come forward without a predetermined conclusion that it means that there’s been a violation, that there’s going to be discipline,” Berman explained. “Once you have an environment where people come forward and think that’s the assumption, it actually deters people from raising proactive concerns.”
Albertin Montoya, who was appointed as Bay FC’s first head coach ahead of its 2024 expansion season, has a long-standing reputation in the Bay Area. He has decades of experience in the youth soccer landscape and has previously worked in the NWSL and the now-defunct WPS, where he won a league title. The Chronicle noted Montoya’s long-standing relationship with Bay FC majority owner Alan Waxman through the Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club, a prominent youth program in the Bay Area.
Berman addressed concerns about Montoya’s hiring, stating, “I don’t actually think having familiarity or knowledge of a coach and his or her experience in the youth space is in and of itself a problem,” drawing parallels to other work environments where familiarity influences hiring decisions.
Bay FC’s inaugural season was not without its challenges. The team struggled initially, leading to the abrupt resignation of general manager Lucy Rushton in June, less than halfway through the season. However, the team managed to turn things around, making it to the expanded eight-team playoff field and narrowly losing in the quarterfinals.
While Berman did not explicitly confirm whether the investigation’s results would be made public, she did mention that the league would continue to make judgment calls based on the specific circumstances of each case.
- Last year, the San Diego Wave faced scrutiny after allegations of a toxic work environment under then team president Jill Ellis.
- Ellis filed a defamation lawsuit following the allegations, and the league concluded third-party investigations, clearing the team of wrongdoing.
- Six former employees are currently suing the Wave and the NWSL for various forms of discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
Adding to the controversy, Bay FC recently hired Graeme Abel as a head scout despite allegations of abuse in his previous role as head coach of the University of Oregon’s women’s soccer team. Abel resigned from the position a week after his announcement, following significant backlash.
As the NWSL continues to navigate these turbulent waters, the league’s commitment to transparency and player safety remains under the microscope. The outcome of the Bay FC investigation will undoubtedly be watched closely by fans and stakeholders alike.
Originally Written by: Jeff Kassouf
