Suspended Michigan youth soccer coach allowed to continue indoor coaching, club says
A Michigan youth soccer coach suspended by both the U.S. Center for SafeSport and the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association for an alleged intimate relationship with a minor will reportedly still be permitted to coach children in indoor settings this winter. His Chaos Soccer club informed parents that the suspension applies only to outdoor soccer, leaving him eligible to lead futsal sessions and indoor training. SafeSport found the coach had an intimate relationship involving a minor, but the club characterized the suspension as stemming solely from a communication policy violation involving a single text message sent without an adult copied. A police investigation was opened after the minor's family provided authorities with thousands of text messages exchanged over roughly 18 months, though no criminal charges were filed.
A police investigation yielded no criminal charges.
Why it matters
For service providers: Player safety professionals should note the club's characterization of a SafeSport intimate-relationship finding as merely a communication policy violation, which may affect how suspension terms are communicated to affected families.
For coaches: The case illustrates how suspension scope can be interpreted narrowly by private clubs, potentially leaving gaps in athlete protection even when national governing bodies act.
For parents: Parents of youth soccer players in the Downriver Michigan area should be aware that a coach suspended by SafeSport for conduct involving a minor remains eligible to coach in indoor settings, according to his club.
Read the full story at Yahoo Sports
Sources
- Yahoo Sports: Coach suspended for intimate relationship can still train kids, club says