U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro resigned Thursday amid the fallout from a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by U.S. women’s team players.
Cindy Parlow Cone, a former women’s national team player re-elected as USSF vice president last month, will now serve as president.
Cordeiro and U.S. Soccer came under heavy criticism when legal filings in the federation’s defense in an equal pay lawsuit brought by the U.S. women’s team asserted that the women have lesser physical abilities and responsibilities than their male counterparts.
The filings drew the ire of players, fans, sponsors and even U.S. Soccer executives and resulted in the women’s team protesting by wearing their warm-up jerseys inside out during the national anthem to obscure the federation logo ahead of a 3-1 SheBelieves Cup win over Japan on Wednesday.
In a statement on Thursday night, Cordeiro wrote: “After discussions with the Board of Directors, I have decided to step down, effective immediately. In accordance with our bylaws, Cindy Parlow Cone, who has performed so ably as Vice President, will serve as President. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the Federation and to help grow this game that we all love.”
Following the protest by the U.S. women on Wednesday night, Cordeiro issued an apology for the language in the filings, saying: “On behalf of U.S. Soccer, I sincerely apologize for the offense and pain caused by language in this week’s court filing, which did not reflect the values of our Federation or our tremendous admiration of our Women’s National Team.
“Our WNT players are incredibly talented and work tirelessly, as they have demonstrated time and again from their Olympic Gold medals to their World Cup titles.”
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