What They're Saying: Jeff Mallett

• by Soccer America , May 2, 2019

"We are real people. We really care. We've put all these years and effort into [the club]. This is our personal thing. And I'm taking it personal."

-- Jeff Mallett, co-owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps and father to two girls, saying he was troubled by the allegations of a dozen women who played for the Whitecaps and were part of Canada's under-20 talent pool around 2008 against Bob Birarda, a former coach for both squads whom they accuse of acting inappropriately. Mallett explained what the club did leading up to the decision to no longer employ Birarda as a coach in October 2008 in a briefing with select media for the first time since women came forward this year with allegations of abuse and harassment. (Canadian Press)