Following demands made by the Canadian National Women’s National Team Players Association, Canada Soccer will launch an independent investigation into former under-20 women’s coach Bob Birarda as part of a three-step plan towards a safer sport.
Birarda, who was also employed by the Vancouver Whitecaps, was charged with sexual assault in December, with ex-players coming forward to allege that the former coach abused them.
Other demands include the board of directors, executives and coaches “commit publicly and unequivocally to Canada’s soccer community to continue to build a safe environment for our athletes” while also calling for an apology from the federation for anyone who was victimized and abused as a player.
The Canadian women’s national team kicks off its celebration tour on Saturday against New Zealand in a friendly. It is the team’s first match since they won gold at the Tokyo Olympics this summer.
