NWSL players halt games in show of solidarity with players who allege abuse - in pictures

Players from opposing teams stood arm in arm at the centre circle in the sixth minute of the North Carolina Courage's 3-1 win over Racing Louisville and of NJ/NY Gotham's scoreless tie against the Washington Spirit

Portland Thorns and Houston Dash players stand together at the six-minute mark during the first half of a NWSL soccer match at Providence Park, Portland, Oregon, USA. Reuters

Portland Thorns fans hold signs during the first half of the team's NWSL soccer match against the Houston Dash in Portland, Oregon. Players stopped on the field in the first half of Wednesday night's National Women’s Soccer League games and linked arms in a circle to demonstrate solidarity with two former players who came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against a prominent coach. AP Photo

Portland Thorns and Houston Dash players, along with referees, gather in the centre circle in demonstration of solidarity with two former NWSL players who came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against a prominent coach. AP Photo

Portland Thorns fans hold signs during the sixth minute of the team's NWSL soccer match against the Houston Dash in Portland, Oregon. AP Photo

Portland Thorns and Houston Dash players, along with referees, gather at midfield, in demonstration of solidarity with two former NWSL players who came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against a prominent coach, during the sixth minute of an NWSL soccer match in Portland, Ore. , Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. (AP Photo / Steve Dipaola)

North Carolina Courage fans make signs just before the NWSL soccer game with Racing Louisville FC at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, North Carolina, USA. Reuters

North Carolina Courage fans make signs just before the NWSL soccer game with Racing Louisville FC. Reuters

Portland Thorns fan holds a sign before a NWSL soccer match against Houston Dash at Providence Park. Reuters

Portland Thorns fan holds a sign before a NWSL soccer match against Houston Dash. Reuters

Fans hold signs during the first half of a NWSL soccer match between Racing Louisville FC and the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park. Reuters

North Carolina Courage and Racing Louisville FC players stand together. Reuters

Fans hold signs during the first half of a NWSL soccer match between Racing Louisville FC and the North Carolina Courage. Reuters

Players stop the match during the first half of a NWSL soccer match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit in a protest at Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. Reuters

Fans watch from the stands with a sign during the first half of an NWSL soccer match between the North Carolina Courage and Racing Louisville FC in Cary, NC , Wednesday, October 6, 2021. AP Photo

North Carolina Courage and Racing Louisville FC players pause and gather at midfield during the first half of an NWSL soccer match in Cary, N. C. AP Photo

North Carolina Courage fans hold signs before a NWSL soccer match between Racing Louisville FC and the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park. Reuters

National Women's Soccer League players briefly halted games Wednesday night in the sixth minute in a display designed to demonstrate solidarity with their colleagues who have spoken out about sexual coercion and abuse from coaches.

The NWSL Players Association issued a statement calling for further investigations into league office and club officials to find any additional cases of abuse.

The union wrote in a statement: "Players will join together in solidarity at the center circle for one minute in recognition of the 6 years it took for Mana [Shim], Sinead [Farrelly], and all those who fought for too long to be heard. We call on fans to stand in silence with us. During that time, we ask you to stand in that pain and discomfort with us, as we consider what too many of us have been asked to sit with for too long.

"We call on you to consider, in that minute, what is demanded of each of us to reclaim our league and our sport."

Players from opposing teams stood arm in arm at the centre circle in the sixth minute of the North Carolina Courage's 3-1 win over Racing Louisville in Cary, NJ, and of NJ/NY Gotham's scoreless tie against the Washington Spirit in Chester, Pennsylvania.

A similar scene was scheduled to take place later Wednesday when the visiting Houston Dash were set to play against the Portland Thorns.

Last week, Shim and Farrelly publicly revealed their stories of sexual abuse and misconduct from Paul Riley, formerly coach of the Thorns and most recently coach of the Courage. Riley was fired by the Courage on Sept. 30 after The Athletic detailed the allegations, which he denied.

NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird resigned Friday after she was accused of ignoring calls from Shim, Farrelly and others to properly investigate allegations of abuse.

Four NWSL coaches have been fired or resigned in recent weeks over various allegations of mistreating players.