MLS: NYCFC condemns harassment at club without citing David Villa

New York City FC, which has investigated sexual harassment accusations made by a former intern against former striker David Villa and other club members, complained about « unacceptable » behavior, not to mention the Spaniard.

Recalling that the allegations related to « a small number of players and staff who did not act according to club rules in their interactions » with the young woman and others, the NYCFC established that « these behaviors consisted of unnecessary physical contact, teasing and comments about clothing and appearance, ”in a statement.

« The club considers that this behavior was inappropriate and unacceptable », continues the club evolving in MLS, adding that among the people having behaved badly, « only one is still at the club and it was sanctioned », without giving more details .

The NYCFC, however, makes no mention of David Villa. However, ESPN, citing sources familiar with the matter, affirms that the investigation carried out has indeed established that Villa had inappropriate tactile behavior with the accuser.

Asked by AFP, the 38-year-old former player said through his spokesperson that he continued to deny these “totally false” allegations, as he had done after the accusations made this summer by the young woman.

Calling herself Skyler B, she denounced on Twitter the supposed behavior of Villa, world champion with Spain in 2010, when he was playing at the NYCFC, between 2015 and 2018.

“I thought I had the opportunity of a lifetime when I got this internship. What I got was David Villa touching me every fucking day and my bosses thought it was a super comedic spring. Women brave enough to tell their stories out loud are my heroines. One day, ”she wrote.

“The harassment I suffered at NYCFC was so severe that now the idea of ​​professional sport terrifies me. Staying in the athletic environment terrifies me. I change careers because the crap they did to me ruined my dreams, ”she added.

Villa, who also won Euro-2008 with La Roja, where he is the top scorer in history (59) and the Champions League with Barça in 2011, played four seasons with the New York team, without managing to win a title, if not that of best player in the league in 2016.

After a final season with the Japanese team Vissel Kobe, he retired last year.