New York City FC (MLS), which investigated allegations of sexual harassment made by a former intern against the former attacker David Villa and other members of the club, lamented the “unacceptable” behavior, not to mention the Spaniard. Recalling that the allegations related to “a small number of players and staff who have not acted according to club rules in their interactions” with the young woman and others, the NYCFC has established that “these behaviors consisted of unnecessary physical contact, teasing and comments regarding clothing and appearance”, in a press release.
“The club considers this behavior to be inappropriate and unacceptable”, continues the club playing in the North American football championship, adding that among those who have behaved badly, “only one is still at the club and she has been sanctioned”, without giving more detail. 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.
David Villa denies all accusations
Asked by AFP, the 38-year-old former player said through his spokesperson that he continued to deny the allegations. “totally false”, 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 great comedic spring. Women brave enough to tell their stories out loud are my heroines. Someday “, she wrote.
“The harassment I suffered at NYCFC was so bad 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 has ruined my dreams “, she added. Villa, who also won Euro 2008 with La Roja, of which 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 achieve 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.
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