In the midst of a highly publicized gender discrimination lawsuit involving the members of the U.S. Women’s National Team, U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro resigned from his post.
The resignation, which Cordeiro announced on Twitter, came days after the publication of legal papers claiming USWNT players had less physical ability and responsibility than their male counterparts.
“My one and only mission has always been to do what is best for our Federation, and it has become clear to me that what is best right now is a new direction,” Cordeiro wrote on Twitter. “The arguments and language contained in this week’s legal filing caused great offense and pain, especially to our extraordinary Women’s National Team players who deserve better. It was unacceptable and inexcusable. I did not have the opportunity to fully review the filing in its entirety before it was submitted, and I take responsibility for not doing so. Had I done so, I would have objected to language that did not reflect my personal admiration for our women’s players or our values as an organization.”
Members of the USWNT say they have not been paid equally to the men’s team and have asked for more than $66 million in damages under the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A trial is scheduled for May 5.
Former American midfielder Cindy Parlow Cone, who scored 75 goals in 158 appearances for the U.S. from 1995 to 2006, has taken over for Cordeiro and is the first woman president in the 107-year history of the federation.
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