SALT LAKE CITY

Former Utah Royals owner and coach named in women’s soccer abuse investigation

Oct 4, 2022, 8:52 AM | Updated: 9:36 am
Team owner Dell Loy Hansen and Utah Royal players. Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News...
Team owner Dell Loy Hansen and Utah Royal players. Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY– Two former members of the once Utah Royals were named in an investigation into systemic abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Q. Yates released the findings of her independent investigation Monday. The report named both former Royals owner Dell Loy Hansen and former head coach Craig Harrington among those who were accused of inappropriate conduct of some kind.

According to the report, in August 2020,  multiple complaints were made about Hansen making racist comments. Multiple people, “also described [Hansen] as ‘touchy,’ stroking their cheeks and holding their hands,” the report stated.

One player reported Hanen’s alleged behavior to League personnel in 2019. Hansen put the team up for sale, “shortly after the allegations surfaced,” the report said.

The report also named Harrington, citing accusations of him making, “sexualized jokes and comments to staff, contributing to a toxic environment at the club.”

Harrington also allegedly commented to a player and an assistant coach that, “taking care of kids is a woman’s job.”

The report said that Harrington, while he didn’t specifically recall that comments, did not mean for them to be hurtful.

Harrington was later dismissed from his duties as head coach in November 2020.

Hansen eventually sold the team to Kansas City in December 2020.
 
Related reading

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Salt Lake City

Pictured is one of two guns seized by police at Highland High School on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. Sal...
Mark Jones

Salt Lake City Police to host gun buy-back event on Saturday

A gun buy-back event will be held Saturday, March 25. It is being put on by the Salt Lake City Police Department.
2 days ago
A family of six was displaced following a house fire Tuesday afternoon in Salt Lake City. Photo cre...
Mark Jones

House fire displaces family of six in Salt Lake City

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire according to officials. The family is staying with other family members.
8 days ago
Residents of the Ballpark neighborhood met with Mayor Erin Mendenhall and other community leaders M...
Mark Jackson

Mayor Mendenhall, Ballpark neighbors meet to discuss life after baseball

The Ballpark neighborhood community is coming together to decide its future after learning the Salt Lake Bees will move.
8 days ago
(Canva)...
Michelle Lee

The science behind the gluten-free diet

Some doctors say that the public automatically thinks the gluten-free diet is healthy, however, that doesn’t mean it’s better for you.
10 days ago
Salt Lake City police took a 38-year-old man into custody on Friday for being in possession of a st...
Mark Jones

Police arrest man allegedly in possession of stolen vehicle, illegal firearm

A 38-year-old man was taken into custody Friday morning by Salt Lake City police for allegedly being in possession of a stolen vehicle.
12 days ago
Salt Lake City Police arrested two individuals this week for crimes against three downtown business...
Mark Jones

Two people arrested for alleged crimes against downtown businesses

Two individuals were arrested this week for crimes against three downtown businesses, according to Salt Lake City Police.
12 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...
BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.
Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a new winter activity? Try skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.
Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...
Intermountain Health

Five common causes of Cervical Cancer – and what you can do to lower your risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.
Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.
happy friends with sparklers at christmas dinner...
Macey's

15 easy Christmas dinner ideas

We’ve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy.
Spicy Homemade Loaded Taters Tots...
Macey's

5 Game Day Snacks for the Whole Family (with recipes!)

Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. 
Former Utah Royals owner and coach named in women’s soccer abuse investigation