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Heather O'Reilly Says Women's Soccer Hid Abuse Issues to Help NWSL Succeed

Former North Carolina Courage midfielder Heather O'Reilly described the club's management structure under head coach Paul Riley, who was fired last week after allegations of sexual misconduct and verbal abuse, as "just dangerous."

The longtime United States women's national team player explained to BBC World Service the alleged actions by Riley were part of a larger problem within women's soccer throughout the U.S. as the sport's power brokers hid issues in an effort to help the National Women's Soccer League survive.

"I think women's football has swept a lot of bad things under the rug because we want the league to succeed," O'Reilly said Friday.