NWSL Opens Investigation After Sarah Gorden Accuses Security Guard Of Racism

The NWSL has announced that it will open an investigation under its anti-discrimination policy. The incident comes from Chicago Red Stars defender Sarah Gorden, who said that she and her boyfriend were racially profiled by a Houston security guard.

The incident occurred on April 9, following the Red Stars’ draw with the Houston Dash. Gordon explained that a security officer said her boyfriend “would be arrested if he came close” to talking to her following the match. Gordon pointed out that there were other families of white individuals that were close to one another.

“At first, I didn’t realize this was a racial issue until I saw white Houston Dash players surrounding the stadium talking closely to their family, and we were the only ones targeted,” Gorden said.

The NSWL announced that an investigation has been launched about the incident. “The league will have no additional comments regarding the current investigation before its completion and has asked the respective clubs to refrain from commenting further as well,” the statement read.

The Dash released two statements about the incident. The first statement talked about how the staff was focused on coronavirus safety, and the team apologized. “We apologize to her and the club for anything that may have created an impression to the contrary,” the club’s first statement said.

The Dash then released a second statement on Monday. In the team’s second statement, they apologized for “missing the mark” in the previous statement.

Gordon has received support from fellow players, coaches, and stars like Megan Rapinoe.