NWSL bans former coach Richie Burke, punishes Washington Spirit

It was learned last month that Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke stepped down from that role to join the club's sporting operations front office staff for reasons said at the time to be related to his health. The story changed, however, after multiple Washington players accused Burke of verbal and emotional abuse. 

Burke was subsequently suspended, and the National Women's Soccer League offered an update on an independent third-party investigation into those allegations on Tuesday. 

"Based on the investigation's findings and the NWSL's determination that the Washington Spirit head coach cannot work with any NWSL players, the Washington Spirit's head coach has been terminated for cause," the league explained. 

"After considering the substance of the report, and taking into account prior actions of the Spirit, the NWSL's board of governors has determined that the Spirit and its ownership have failed to act in the best interests of the League. The board has further concluded that representatives for the Washington Spirit will not be permitted to participate in League governance matters, effective immediately, and has initiated a process pursuant to which Washington Soccer Properties, LLC, must respond to the violation notice issued by the board within 14 days."

The NWSL is keeping its full report confidential, in part to protect individuals who spoke with investigators.

Among the allegations, Burke was accused of using "threats, criticism and personal insults," and also "racially insensitive jokes" and slurs toward players. Kaiya McCullough and at least two anonymous former Spirit players reached out to the Washington Post to tell their stories about the alleged abuse they suffered.