Why is it so hard for these guys and players to eff people outside of the building?
The Kansas City Current has fired the head of its medical department, Carlos Jimenez, for violating the NWSL’s non-fraternization policy, the club confirmed to The Athletic on Wednesday. Multiple sources briefed on the situation said the policy violation concerned a relationship with a Current player.
Jimenez joined the Current last December. He worked as a physical therapist for the Washington Spirit last season and for the U.S. women’s national team from 2019 to 2021.
“When we learned of (Jimenez’s) actions in violation of club and league policies, he was immediately terminated,” the Current said in a statement. “We remain committed to making sure our policies and practices ensure a safe space for our players and our staff.”
Jimenez did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The NWSL instituted a non-fraternization policy, in addition to a policy on workplace discrimination, harassment, and bullying, as part of the league’s reforms following the allegations of sexual coercion against Paul Riley and subsequent joint investigation.
The non-fraternization policy applies to all NWSL personnel, including players, coaches, owners, managers, trainers, and any other employees of the league or its clubs. The policy states that “NWSL supervisors may not engage in, develop, continue, or pursue any romantic and/or sexual relationships or encounters, even when consensual, with any employee (including NWSL players or trialists) over whom they currently have direct or indirect supervisory authority or management influence.”
A team’s head of medical would fall under the policy’s definition of a “supervisor,” which includes any staff member who could “responsibly direct (employees), including as to performance and medical decisions, address concerns or exert influence over such actions in the interest of the NWSL or a team.”
Jimenez is the second NWSL team staff member to be publicly dismissed for violations of the policy in 2024. Last month, the NWSL announced that Houston Dash goalkeeping coach Matt Lampson had been fired by the club following an investigation concerning NWSL policy violations. The league found that Lampson violated the non-fraternization policy and the code of conduct in place for NWSL coaches, and additionally suspended him through the remainder of the 2024 season.
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