MLS investigating Busby allegations
Published:Sunday | October 31, 2021 | 12:11 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
THE SEXUAL misconduct allegations against Jamaica’s senior women’s national football team head coach, Hubert Busby Jr, took a new turn as Major League Soccer (MLS) announced the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate his conduct on Friday.
The announcement comes as Busby Jr was accused by former player, Malloree Enoch, of inappropriate behaviour during his time with the Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team from 2010-11.
In an article published by British newspaper, The Guardian, on Thursday, Enoch detailed incidents of Busby making her room with him on trips and making inappropriate sexual advances.
Busby denied the allegations in the article.
Enoch said that she shared concerns with the Whitecaps’ soccer development director, Dan Lenarduzzi, but no action was taken.
In a statement, MLS said that the counsel will also look at the overall club practices, to guarantee a safe working environment.
“The investigation will include a review of the club’s internal processes and overall culture at the time, as well as recommendations on preventative measures to ensure that all players and staff under the Whitecaps organisation umbrella work in a safe environment, free of all forms of harassment and fear of retaliation,” the statement read.
“The league and club will publicly release the findings and recommendations of the investigation.”
The Jamaica Football Federation, in a statement on Thursday, said that they are aware of the allegations and are scheduled to meet with Busby on Tuesday to address the matter.
INDEPENDENT OMBUDSPERSON
Meanwhile, Whitecaps sporting director, Axel Schuster, released a statement of apology saying that the club hired an independent ombudsperson to oversee an investigation into the matter, which led to Busby leaving the club in 2011.
“We have since learned that the investigation did not reveal certain allegations that were disclosed this week,” Schuster said.
“Our communication with players, staff and the soccer community as to the reasons for Bubsy’s departure was also inadequate. We should have done better and for that, we are deeply sorry.”
However, in The Guardian article, Busby denied that the allegations led to his departure.