Houston Dash goalie coach Matt Lampson fired after investigation reveals
“[crossed] An NWSL spokesperson confirmed that he had crossed the line between being a team player and a professional.
A league spokesperson also told multiple news outlets that Lampson, 34, has been suspended by the NWSL for the remainder of the 2024 season “due to these violations and lack of complete cooperation.”
“Investigators determined that Lampson violated the NWSL Anti-Fraternity Policy and the NWSL Coaches Code of Conduct, which requires coaches to adhere to professional boundaries, but focuses on preventing abusive and discriminatory behavior. “We have determined that there is no violation of the NWSL Anti-Harassment Policy, which was directed at the NWSL,” the league said in a statement, “or harassing conduct.”
Equalizer, first site broke the news of Lampson’s dismissal.released the NWSL’s guidelines for coach-player relationships, defining a situation where there is an “imbalance of power” as a violation.
“Imbalance of Power: When a person is in a ‘position of power’ such that, based on the totality of the circumstances, an imbalance of power exists,” the league’s rules state.
“Whether someone occupies a “position of power” depends on several factors, including: the nature and extent of supervisory authority over the person; the actual relationship between the parties; The respective roles of the parties. the nature and duration of the relationship; and the current and age of the parties involved at the time of conception of the relationship. Once a coach-player relationship is established, a power imbalance is presumed, regardless of age. ”
There is an exception to the rule if the coach-player relationship pre-existed.
Lampson was placed on administrative leave in January pending the outcome of the investigation and fired on Monday. According to ESPN.
Lampson previously played as a goalkeeper in MLS with teams such as the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire.
He has been with the Dash since the beginning of the 2022 season.
The Dash previously suspended former head coach and general manager James Clarkson in 2022 on suspicion of discrimination, harassment and abuse.
