Mysterious MeToo case in the women’s national team: what really happened at the World Cup in New Zealand?

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“MeToo case in the national women’s team – SFV dismisses employees without prior notice,” Blick headlines on October 14. The Swiss Football Association (SFV) previously confirmed upon request that it had parted ways with an employee “after the association was informed of an incident within the women’s national team at the end of September.” But now, according to Blick’s research, the question arises: did the incident really happen that way? Did the association act hastily? Was he afraid of a shitstorm after the kissing scandal with world champion Spain? And did he fire an employee who did nothing wrong?

Review: After the defeat in the World Cup round of 16 against Spain (1:5), the Swiss entourage left New Zealand for home the next day, August 6. This is where the attack is said to have taken place: TD* is said to have pinched a player’s buttocks with two fingers during security checks at Auckland Airport. The SFV publicly speaks of an “unacceptable violation of the basic values ​​of the SFV”. The matter was reported to Swiss Sport Integrity (SSI), which has launched an investigation, as it confirmed to Blick.

Did the attack really happen like this?

The SSI investigation is far from complete, but the suspect was still fired. The person who was dismissed without notice is WL, who worked for the SFV on a mandate basis for a long time. Blick spoke to him and was given access to various letters and minutes. This includes a letter from the police in New Zealand, which leads to the question mentioned at the beginning: did the attack really take place as the SFV portrays it?

At WL’s initiative, the New Zealand Police reviewed and recorded the surveillance videos at Auckland Airport. According to a senior NZ Police official, it emerged that the allegations made by the alleged victim and other players could not have happened. Because WL and the alleged victim were not in the same place at any time from entering to leaving the security area at Auckland Airport. There was “no interaction between the man and any player” observed. This means: According to the video recordings available to the New Zealand police, TD could not have pinched the player’s butt during the security checkpoint.

Nothing happened for weeks

In addition to the letter from the police, there are other indications of inconsistencies. What is particularly striking is that although the incident is said to have occurred on August 6, WL was not informed of the allegations against him until six weeks later. And then is fired without notice within a few days – as part of the women’s national team’s first meeting after the World Cup.

In between, various meetings took place with SFV managers. It was about the follow-up to the World Cup and plans for the future. According to WL, the alleged incident at Auckland Airport was not even remotely discussed in any of these meetings. But then: On September 20, the evening after the public training of the national women’s team in St. Gallen, SFV Secretary General Robert Breiter called WL and immediately ordered him to pack his things and leave the hotel. WL does not provide any justification for the measure. The version within the team is that WL had to leave the group immediately for personal reasons.

Four days later, WL was confronted by the association with the allegations against him. They come from different players – whose names have not yet been revealed to WL – and go beyond the alleged butt grab. The protocols are available. In it, the alleged victim writes that WL squeezed her buttocks from behind. Three teammates to whom the victim confided the incident made further accusations. These are not physical in nature but relate to behavior in general in New Zealand. According to the logs, the alleged incident took place at the security checkpoint at Auckland Airport.

Who knew what and when?

It also appears that the incident was reported to team manager Caroline Abbé at the latest during the stopover in Dubai. “We expected that she would report this in detail and that there would be appropriate consequences, which unfortunately did not happen,” one player wrote. It is not clear when exactly the incident was reported to those responsible at the SFV. Delegation leader Marion Daube told the NZZ that she cannot remember exactly when she was informed. According to information from Blick, the matter was reported to management after the players met in September.

After receiving the written, but anonymous, allegations from the players, WL must submit a written statement to the association within more than 24 hours, which it does. WL vehemently disputes the accusations. Nevertheless, he receives the notice of termination without notice less than 24 hours later. It reads: “Dear TD. We hereby terminate your contract with immediate effect and without prior notice for serious reasons. Thank you for your attention.” The resignation letter was signed by President Dominique Blanc and Secretary General Robert Breiter.

“I was blown away,” WL tells Blick. He is not aware of any fault and will contest the termination. “If I had made a mistake, I would admit it.” It was he who repeatedly pointed out to the other, younger staff members during the trip to New Zealand that despite all the collegiality, they had to keep their distance from the players. He gives the example of hugging when greeting someone. “I’m old fashioned at this point and always shake people’s hands.”

Was WL exposed?

More than three months have passed since the incident, and almost two months since the termination without notice. The initial anger has given way to disappointment, says WL: “It’s just sad.” He is disappointed with the SFV, also because none of those responsible “have spoken to me for even a minute” since the accusations became known. Many staff members and former employees asked how he was doing. However, he feels no feelings of revenge.

In addition: According to WL, he was exposed internally by the SFV. Shortly after the termination, several hundred people learned about the case and the immediate termination in an internal email letter indicating their names. ‘You can’t correct anything anymore. I have the damage,” says WL

*Name known

Source : Blick