Body shaming allegations are an insult to my personal values

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Republic of Ireland coach Vera Pauw has refuted claims that she shamed players while at Houston Dash, saying the claims are an insult to my personal values.

A report by a joint National Womens Soccer League and NWSL Players Association investigative team released on Wednesday said Pauw had shamed players for their weight and tried to exert excessive control over their eating habits while that he was head coach of Team USA in 2018.

The 59-year-old Dutchman said in a statement on Twitter: I want to refute all allegations made against me since my time at Houston Dash.

Player welfare has always been of utmost importance to me throughout my career. Nutrition is a hugely important aspect of professional football and my advice to players has always been to look after their nutritional and health needs and always seek the advice of medical experts.

To suggest that I would shame any human being, footballer or not, is an insult to my personal values ​​and my behavior as a coach and I cannot allow that statement to go unchallenged.

The report, which examined allegations of misconduct involving a number of individuals and clubs, said Pauw appeared but refused to co-operate when interviewed by the joint investigation team, adding that she had provided a written denial of what she suspected were the allegations against her, including a statement that she never commented on a player’s appearance.

Pauw on Friday expressed his disappointment with the way this investigation was conducted and the way I was treated when I tried to engage with (her), and said: The report suggests that I don’t did not cooperate with the investigation team, which is not true.

I accepted an invitation to join a video call, September 29, on which there were four people and me. I asked to record the call but they said it couldn’t happen and they refused to answer my questions before ending the call.

I then wrote a 13 page letter describing my experience of my stay in Houston and offered to contact them again, but they never responded.

The story continues

After the report’s release, Houston Dash released a statement apologizing to players, current and former, who suffered misconduct from two coaches, including Pauw.

The Football Association of Ireland said on Thursday it was aware of the report and would continue to support Vera and her team as they prepare for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

The Republic of Pauws team qualified for the World Cup in October (Andrew Milligan/PA).

Pauw added in his Friday statement: I want to thank everyone who has spoken out in support of me since these allegations became public on Wednesday evening. I appreciate the FAI’s continued support as we look forward to the Women’s World Cup next summer.

I will continue to defend myself against all such claims. I spent my whole career fighting for my players and now I have to fight for myself. I am extremely disappointed to have been targeted in such a disappointing way. I cannot allow my name to be attached to such false accusations.

Pauw took charge of the Republic of Ireland squad in 2019. They qualified for the upcoming summer World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in October, their first major tournament appearance.

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