The NWSL has announced that disciplinary action against Angel City FC for a salary cap violation.
October 3 saw the league conclude their investigation into the alleged violation. The findings of the process have resulted in action being taken against the club. According to a press release, this investigation revealed that Angel City broke several rules.
What rules did Angel City FC break?
During the year 2023, Angel City entered five side letters directly with players. This apparently affected multiyear agreements and was not disclosed to the league. These agreements, the league says, included a combination of compensation and benefits that were reflected in the Standard Player Agreement, as well as extra benefits that were not reported to the NWSL.
In light of this, the NWSL states that Angel City was found to have exceeded the NWSL’s salary cap by approximately $ 50,000 for four weeks during the 2024 season.
What disciplinary measures are being faced by Angel City FC?
The league says it is “Committed to upholding the integrity of its salary cap and player compensation rules.”
Because of Angel City’s breaches, the NWSL has announced the implementation of the following disciplinary measures:
- A fine totalling $ 200,000
- An immediate three-point deduction from the club’s 2024 standings
- Angel City’s President and CEO, Julia Uhrman, as well as General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano, have both been suspended from duties relating to player transactions until the beginning of 2025
The league also says it will now carry out investigations and audits of player spending every year.
Angel City’s point deduction sees them drop to 12th in the league standings, two points behind this weekend’s opposition – Seattle Reign FC.
Expressing the league’s dedication to ensuring compliance with the rules, the NWSL emphasised that it “Remains committed to maintaining fairness and transparency across all clubs, reinforcing the importance of adhering to established rules and upholding the competitive balance within the league.”
