The USLPA has reportedly “lost confidence” in the Chattanooga Red Wolves’ handling of an investigation into allegations of misconduct by head coach Jimmy Obleda.
Those allegations of misconduct include Obleda using overly aggressive management tactics and insensitive language on multiple occasions which were confirmed via a USL investigation into the matter this past summer.
Obleda would remain on administrative leave until the club finished its internal investigation and while the USL completed a formal report on its findings.
This brings us to last night and the statement released by the USLPA where they accuse the Red Wolves of withholding internal investigative findings from them. Additionally, the Red Wolves concluded there were no cultural issues within the club which didn’t sit well with the USLPA who say it “falls in direct conflict with (their) investigative report”.
Lastly, and perhaps one of the most troubling aspects of this whole thing is the Red Wolves being noncommittal when it comes to moving on from Obleda. According to the statement, the Red Wolves told the union “that it has not decided on the long-term future of Mr. Obleda and will not do so until after the season.” This leaves the door open for Obleda to at some point return to the club with potentially a sense of sick redemption.
As a result, the USLPA has filed a report with the U.S. Center for SafeSport and asked them to launch their own investigation into the matter.