In early May 2007, Oregon Youth Soccer Association Director of Programs Noeleen Conway was asked to make a difficult decision about a game being played by boys under the age of 14.
According to a suit filed this week in Multnomah County Circuit Court, that decision cost her her job.
The Oregon State Cup’s final game in the U-14 division was scheduled for May 5, pitting the Portland area’s Southside Soccer Club against the Salem Helix. Southside’s leading scorer had received a red card in the team’s semi-final win, which under normal circumstances would eliminate him from competition for the team’s next game—in this case, the state championship.
These were not normal circumstances.
The referee for the semi-final game had neglected to report the red card to the OYSA, and after much debate on both sides about the player’s eligibility, the ultimate decision was given to Conway.
She ruled that since the penalty had not been reported, the player would be eligible for the final game.
The decision set off a firestorm of controversy. Southside won the game 1-0 on a goal scored by the player whose eligibility was in question, and after much hell was raised the OYSA formed a special committee to investigate.
The committee concluded the game should be replayed. After two more rounds of appeals–neither of which involved Conway–the committee’s decision stood, and the game was replayed, this time with the Helix winning and earning a trip to the regional tournament in Las Vegas.
Then on June 29, Noeleen Conway says she was handed a letter from Charles Keers, Executive Director of the OYSA. She alleges she had been fired, specifically for her handling of the disputed game.
On Tuesday, Conway filed suit against the OYSA and Keers for wrongful termination. She is seeking $325,000 in economic damages, including lost wages and benefits, and another $500,000 for non-economic damages.
Charles Keers didn’t return a message on Wednesday seeking comment.
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I think that for that much money, they should let me manage youth soccer. WTF?
Since the red card was NOT filed with OYSA, then it was not a legal red card. To be valid a red card (can not play any other games of the season, encluding championships), or a yellow card (can not play the rest of the game), must be filed with appropriate agencies involved (school district, legue, and/or sports agencies).
With them (oysa & keers) firing ms conway, I agree with ms conway suing for wrongfull termination.
Since the card was not filed, it was not legal. Therefore she did what was legal, and what she was asked to do. See if this U14 player could play in the championships.
The money, in my opinion is NOT high enough, she should sue for even more. She was given a specific job to do, she did it, and then subsequently was terminated for doing the job that she was hired to do. If this was me, I would have sued for 1 million in economic damages (wages, benifits, ect) and 1.5 million in non-economic damages.
This is from someone who played AYSO (now known as OYSA). Was on a U6, U10, U14, U16 and a U18 playing Left Midfield. Recieved 1 yellow card (for dislocating both of a goalies wrists, after she caused me to dislocate both knee caps which I put back into place and continued with the game.. district playoffs, playing for Henry D. Sheldon H.S. [eugene, oregon]