Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw has once again had to deny allegations of misconduct during her time at Houston Dash in 2018.
The Ireland coach is set to take Ireland's Women's team to their first World Cup this month, but now she faces new claims that she was 'physically aggressive' and that she 'created a culture of fear' when coaching at Houston Dash in 2018.
This week, new allegations have been revealed by the Athletic by four former Dash players and former three staff members. The groups have remained anonymous.
The article states, 'Pauw’s behavior included: making comments about players’ weights and eating habits; wanting 'total control' over players' training, meals, and injury protocols; making disparaging comments made toward American and English players; and becoming physically aggressive in at least two instances.'
However, in the article, the Ireland manager responded with 12 statements from players and assistant coaches during her time as manager of Scotland, South Africa, The Netherlands, and in Houston.
Pauw also recalled a time when a coach threatened to 'shoot her in the head' for moving a training session from morning to evening. She told The Athletic that she received police protection after a row over her decision.
Pauw said that halfway through the 2018 season, her husband, Bert van Lingen, the former Netherlands Women manager and long-time assistant to Dutch men’s manager Dick Advocaat, came to visit her in Houston for three weeks.
Ireland head coach Vera Pauw “created a culture of fear” at the Houston Dash in 2018.
Former players have said her methods were “abusive & inappropriate”. Pauw denies wrong-doing & says she is judged differently because she is a woman.
Investigation by @thrace @SarahShepSport
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) July 3, 2023
“After five days, he said, ‘Vera, I’m going home and I’m taking you with me because I do not accept the abuse you are getting here. I cannot watch this anymore’.” she said. “I said, ‘I’m not going to leave them now, I’m finishing the season’.”
She said she then received the death threat from a member of staff who was angered by her decision “He threatened to shoot me in the head as I was taking his beer night away,” she said.
The FAI, in response to the Irish Times, have added they will support their employee in the wake of the new allegations.
'The FAI is fully focused on supporting Vera and the Women’s team as they continue their preparation for their first World Cup in Australia, and we will not be making any further comment on this article,' said the FAI to the paper.
This is the second time that Vera Pauw has had to deny allegations of 'abusive and inappropriate' treatment of her former players in America.
Back in December, the 60-year-old was accused of criticizing players over their weight in a report by the United States' National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and its Players Association following a joint 14-month investigation into allegations of abuse and misconduct towards NWSL players.
The Ireland coach at the time stated the reports were 'absolutely ridiculous and false,' and also said, 'There's no truth in it."
