The National Women's Soccer League announced that Spirit coach Richie Burke has been fired after he was suspended for allegations of verbal and emotional abuse in August. The NWSL conducted a third-party investigation after the Washington Post detailed Burke's alleged inappropriate conduct last month.
"Based on the investigation's findings and the NWSL's determination that the Washington Spirit head coach cannot work with any NWSL players, the Washington Spirit's head coach has been terminated for cause," the release read. "After considering the substance of the report, and taking into account prior actions of the Spirit, the NWSL's board of governors has determined that the Spirit and its ownership have failed to act in the best interests of the League.