Whitecaps player alleging sexual misconduct stunned to learn of coach's rehiring
CBC
A former Vancouver Whitecaps player who alleges she was the victim of sexual misconduct by former Whitecaps women's coach Hubert Busby Jr. is speaking out after learning he has been reinstated as head coach of the Jamaican women's national team.
Malloree Enoch says Busby's past alleged behaviour should disqualify him from coaching at any level.
"Not women. Not men. To me, it's a moral issue," she said. "I wouldn't want my child playing for someone like that."
Enoch claims in 2011, Busby, the then Whitecaps women's head coach, used his position of power to sexually coerce her during recruiting trips.
Enoch brought the allegations forward in 2021, not long after former Whitecaps and Canadian U-20 women's team head coach Bob Birarda was charged with sexual offences against four players. Birarda eventually pleaded guilty to four charges and was sentenced to jail time.
As a result of Enoch's claim, Busby was suspended as head coach of the Jamaican women's team, a position he was hired for in 2020. The Jamaica Football Federation asked FIFA's ethics committee to investigate.
In announcing Busby's reinstatement this May, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) stated Busby had been cleared by FIFA.
"He was removed from the position when the JFF requested FIFA to investigate unsavoury media reports originating in Europe," said the JFF in a post on Facebook. "FIFA subsequently cleared Mr. Busby."
When FIFA was asked for its response, it sent this cryptic statement:
"The preliminary investigation has been closed, in accordance with the FIFA Code of Ethics and statute of limitations that applied at the time of the alleged incidents. This is without prejudice that new circumstances may reopen this investigation in accordance with Art. 85 of the FIFA Code of Ethics."
Enoch learned about Busby's rehiring by Googling his name.
"It's kind of history repeating itself, where time goes by, and the coach disappears for a bit and then pops back up coaching again," she said. " And it doesn't seem that there's been a change to create a safe environment for players to speak up and have due process."
Enoch said she filed her own complaint against Busby with FIFA in September of this year.
CBC has reached out to the JFF and requested an interview with Busby but has not heard back.
Three Ontario police associations released a statement Wednesday calling on the federal government to implement stricter bail policies, after plainclothes Toronto police officers were caught in a gunfight between two groups in the city's west end Monday night while conducting a unrelated bail compliance check.
With an ambitious housing target looming, the province is hoping to spur more interest among young people about starting a career in one of more than 100 skilled trades.
The Sisters of Mercy Convent in downtown St. John's used to house nuns. Now, the 19th century building can sleep and house nearly 100 people struggling to find a safe place to rest or call home.
David Boghosian's time as integrity commissioner for the City of Greater Sudbury ended rather abruptly on Tuesday night after city council voted to dismiss him.
As Melissa Sheehy-Richard goes door to door asking for people's support in the district of Hants West during Nova Scotia's provincial election, the Progressive Conservative candidate says she's humbled by the response she's received in her re-election bid.
A proposal from Irving Pulp & Paper Ltd. to build a parking lot on part of what is now the west Saint John Wolastoq park has been referred to the city's planning advisory committee amid opposition from local residents.
Some workers from Africa who were hired to cut vegetation under Hydro-Québec power lines are sounding the alarm about unsafe working conditions, cramped housing and transportation issues.
Northern Manitoba's biggest city will be ringing in the new year with the closure of its only veterinary clinic.
It is election day in Saskatchewan — again.
The City of Charlottetown is getting ready to electrify the transit system in the capital region, but it might be a while before routes are expanded.
Jury in coroner's inquest recommends 66 changes to prevent future deaths at Niagara Detention Centre
The coroner's inquest into the deaths of five men at the Niagara Detention Centre (NDC) ended with the jury making 66 recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths.