Another NWSL head coach has been suspended due to an investigation into alleged misconduct

• Houston Dash head coach and GM James Clarkson has been suspended by the NWSL club.
• The suspension comes via an NWSL investigation into "discrimination, harassment, abuse, and bullying."

The Houston Dash have suspended General Manager and Head Coach James Clarkson effective immediately.

Though specifics regarding the National Women's Soccer League's most tenured coach's case have not been made available to the public, the league and players association announced via joint release that the suspension is connected to an "ongoing investigation into discrimination, harassment, abuse, and bullying" in North America's top-tier women's professional soccer league.

Upon the NWSL's and NWSLPA's recommendation, the Dash temporarily removed Clarkson from his post.

"I want to thank the players and staff throughout the league who have participated in the overall investigation thus far, and assure them, as well as our fans and partners, that we will deliver on our promise to create a workplace where players and staff are empowered to succeed in a healthy and safe environment," NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said in the statement.

The NWSL and NWSLPA opened league-wide investigations into workplace misconduct in light of bombshell allegations of sexual abuse made against North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley, who was formerly among the most respected and accomplished in the league.

The fall 2021 revelations rocked the NWSL and spurred a reckoning for players, fans, and front offices that eventually led to the resignations of four additional male head coaches.

Though there is currently no indication Clarkson will permanently leave his post upon the conclusion of the investigation, if he did so he would become the sixth male NWSL coach in 18 months departing due to misconduct.

"Players made a promise to ourselves and future generations to transform our League – not through words, but with our actions," NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke said via the joint release. "This shows that our joint investigation is doing the work of systemic transformation."

"The work continues," she added. "And we commend players for speaking up and speaking out."