Former Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Jeffrey Dewsnup has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the Major League Soccer club, alleging a deeply ingrained culture of hazing and misconduct that he claims has had a devastating impact on his professional career.
The lawsuit, filed by Dewsnup, now 22, paints a grim picture of the locker room environment, detailing numerous instances of alleged abuse. Among the accusations are claims of sexual exposure by teammate Aaron Herrera and explicit verbal comments made by David Ochoa, which Dewsnup states significantly hindered his development as a player.
Further compounding the alleged mistreatment, Dewsnup claims that goalkeeper coach Ignacio Hernandez pressured him to train and play despite suffering from an injured shoulder. This alleged disregard for his physical well-being is a central tenet of the lawsuit.
According to the legal documents, Dewsnup's father made multiple attempts to communicate with Real Salt Lake officials regarding these issues, but these efforts were reportedly met with no response from the club.
The lawsuit meticulously outlines various incidents of player-to-player misconduct. Crucially, it also alleges that Real Salt Lake failed to establish and implement adequate child protection policies, leaving young players vulnerable to harm.
Dewsnup is seeking substantial damages, with the lawsuit specifying $20 million for medical expenses incurred due to his injuries and alleged mistreatment, and an additional $80 million for lost wages. He asserts that the cumulative effect of these experiences led him to make the difficult decision to retire from professional soccer in 2022.
In response to the lawsuit, Real Salt Lake has issued a statement vehemently denying the allegations. The club emphasized its commitment to athlete safety and stated its intention to defend itself rigorously against these claims.
Major League Soccer has also acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and confirmed that it is actively reviewing the claims presented in the lawsuit. The league reiterated its unwavering stance on player safety as a paramount concern and a core priority for all its teams and operations.
