Cindy Cohn says US Soccer’s Reyna Verhalter investigation should end in ‘next few weeks’

The United States Soccer Federation held its latest quarterly board meeting on Thursday. Let’s take a look at the headline news items discussed here.

scandal investigation update

President Cindy Cohn said an independent investigation commissioned by U.S. Soccer into the Reyna Verhalter scandal “must be completed in the coming weeks.”

Her failure to put in an exact timeline for completion will irritate fans. But she has been adamant that she doesn’t want to impose an independent investigative timeline lest investigators miss anything.

“Since returning from Qatar, we have had to deal with a sad and unfortunate situation, but I believe we are dealing with it in the right way.

Notably, US Soccer’s sports director Ernie Stewart did not speak at the conference. Neither did Brian McBride, general manager of the US men’s team, nor Kate Markgraf, general manager of the women’s team.

Markgraf’s absence wasn’t all that surprising. Because she’s in New Zealand for this week’s game. Sports executives don’t need to speak at board meetings, according to a source familiar with the matter.

» Read more: DaMarcus Beasley seeks the ejection of Gregg Berhalter in his varsity coverage debut for HBO Max.

focus on concussion

Cohn lamented this week that the International Football Association Board, which governs world football’s rulebook, has turned down a test to temporarily replace a player suffering from a concussion. Ligue 2, and player unions around the world, were calling for a test.

“It was unfortunately rejected by the IFAB,” Cohn said. “US Soccer should be focused on being a leader in concussion awareness and safety. I hope that.”

MLS is also issued forceful statement in the news.

“MLS strongly opposes the IFAB’s decision to deny an interim trial for temporary concussion replacements,” it said. Our petition to implement is based on the advice of medical professionals and the understanding of evolving science regarding how to identify and diagnose head injuries.”

“We will continue to work with coalitions around the world who share our goals,” the league said.

Rumors of the Copa America

Cohn referred to recent meetings with FIFA and Conca Cafe for “various international competitions here in the United States over the next few years.” She didn’t mention the possibility of the US playing (and hosting) her 2024 Copa America, but that would add a little fuel to the fire.

“We will work together to make the biggest impact possible at the 2026 Men’s World Cup,” she said.

» Read more: Will USMNT play in the 2024 Copa America? US Soccer CEO JT Batson opens the door.

the referee speaks for himself

New CEO JT Batson said he heard a lot about refereeing issues while attending a United Soccer Coaches convention in Philadelphia last week.

In addition to his past work in the technology industry, Batson has worked as a youth soccer referee and referee assigner. He is well aware that while everyone likes to complain about referees, referees do not have formal representation in the governance of US soccer. To get more money, they can’t speak for themselves.

“This is an area that is close to my heart and dear to me,” Batson said at his first board meeting since taking over in the fall.

“Wherever you are [level] Whether you’re a young kid playing at a recreational level or you’re in our professional league, this is an important area for anyone,” he said. is of course important to you, I think there is a lot of appreciation for the work you do there and I really appreciate everyone’s focus, attention and commitment to getting this right in the end .”

abuse in women’s football

Several members of U.S. Soccer’s new task force on player safety have spoken out about their work. This is Mana Sim, the former player who blew Riley’s whistle.

“It’s my first time standing in front of a board and I just want to say thank you,” Sim said. “Thank you for listening to me, believing in me, believing in me, and trusting me in this important task.

A slide from the group’s presentation states that the main goal is to “all adults in the football ecosystem,” meaning more than just coaches, to complete a “safe football” program that grants them a portable digital pass. says.

The program will be rolled out over the next three to five years with a “progressive approach to recognizing operational and financial realities” for state and local organizations.

In the short term, the task force is interviewing candidates for the new chief security officer of US soccer.

» Read more: NWSL bans Paul Riley and other managers accused of abusing players

Amendments to US soccer’s professional league standards have been proposed. It is one of the governing body’s primary enforcement tools. Standards have traditionally focused on minimum asset requirements for team owners and stadium capacity.

The meeting slides will include a new “Player Health and Safety” section of the standards with “Requirements for Player Safety Officers, Player Feedback Surveys, Annual Protective Training, Timely and Transparent Surveys, Annual protection reports, detailed anti-harassment policies and more.”

Discussions are underway with various professional leagues, not just the women’s league. The Final Amendment will be voted on at the US Soccer Annual Meeting in San Diego in March.

“We see this as a huge and important step as we look to expand and positively change not just the NWSL, but other professional leagues,” said US Soccer staffer Emily Kosler.

Our next major public update will come later this month.