The Chicago Red Stars’ protracted silence in the wake of allegations against former coach Rory Dames came to an end Thursday — sort of — but left several questions unanswered.
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In a statement, majority owner Arnim Whisler apologized for the “unacceptable” experiences players had under Dames, whom several former players accused of verbal, emotional and racial abuse and controlling behavior in a bombshell Washington Post story published in late November.
“The past few months have been a time of deep humility, contrition, and reflection for me,” Whisler said in the statement. “I have always strived to ensure that everyone hired in our environment is of high character and shares our positive values. But we have not always succeeded. For that, I am sorry.”
But the statement — which did not specifically name Dames when it was posted at 11 a.m. — lacked true accountability and details about what the Red Stars knew and when, and why they allowed their longtime head coach and de facto general manager to resign.
The Tribune is scheduled to speak with Whisler on Friday.
The Red Stars announced Dames’ resignation on Nov. 21 at 11:54 p.m., one day after the team lost the National Women’s Soccer League final to the Washington Spirit. His sudden resignation came hours before the Washington Post’s story.
After the Post story published, the Red Stars hired a crisis communications firm and later released a handful of unattributed statements that also were short on details.
On Tuesday, the Post published another story detailing even more allegations of abuse and sexual coercion against Dames, this time by former players of Eclipse Select, the suburban youth soccer club he founded.
Whisler in the statement implied he and the Red Stars were unaware of those allegations, some of which date back to 1998 and include an Arlington Heights police report obtained by the Post. The Red Stars hired Dames in 2011.
“I am further heartbroken this week after learning about the allegations from former youth players that involved the Red Stars former coach at the youth club he founded,” Whisler said in the statement. “There is no place for abuse of any kind in soccer — or anywhere.”
Whisler, who started his statement by touting his commitment to women’s soccer, did not indicate he has any plans to sell his majority stake in the Red Stars. The Red Stars list more than 30 members in their ownership group on their website.
“I will continue to be accountable for what happens in the club, but I have also made changes to the organization that will allow us to do better,” Whisler said in the statement, citing the hiring of more executives such as Michelle Lomnicki as associate GM.
Meanwhile, the Red Stars are still without a head coach with preseason training already underway. Goalkeeper coach Rade Tanaskovic has been serving as acting head coach with Julianne Sitch and Fabrice Gautrat, the husband of midfielder Morgan Gautrat, as assistants.
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