Utah Soccer Holdings, the company that owns Real Salt Lake, Utah Royals (NWSL) and Real Monarchs (USL), issued a statement regarding allegations made in an RSL Soapbox article regarding Chief Business Officer Andy Carroll, who has taken a leave of absence from the organization.
Utah Soccer was extremely disappointed by the allegations in the recent RSL Soapbox article regarding Mr. Carroll. Mr. Carroll has spent notable time and energy to further the business operations of the organization. Still, Utah Soccer takes these allegations extremely seriously. Utah Soccer prioritizes the safety, well-being, and security of its players and employees above all, and does not tolerate discriminatory or derogatory conduct of any kind. While Utah Soccer endeavors to learn more about the allegations raised in the article, Mr. Carroll will be taking a leave of absence from the organization until further notice.
The new allegations come on the heels of others made in an article on The Athletic which resulted in an investigation launched by Major League Soccer on August 27. RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen subsequently announced plans to sell Utah Soccer Holdings, including the three clubs.
In a September 1 statement, MLS revealed that Sullivan & Cromwell LLP will oversee the investigation of the "allegations concerning the culture at Real Salt Lake and the comments and conduct of investor-operator Dell Loy Hansen and Chief Business Officer Andrew Carroll."
Major League Soccer takes seriously the recent allegations concerning the culture at Real Salt Lake and the comments and conduct of investor-operator Dell Loy Hansen and Chief Business Officer Andrew Carroll. The league retained the New York-based law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP to oversee the investigation, and these matters will be addressed promptly. We are deeply committed to maintaining an environment based on respect and integrity, free of discrimination in any form. Our employees, clubs, players, and fans remain our top priority.
