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Washington U. Men's Soccer Team Suspended Over 'Explicit' Comments

The men's soccer team at Washington University in St. Louis has been indefinitely suspended for what the university calls sexually explicit comments.
Image: Brookings Hall, one of the symbols of Washington University in St. Louis.
Brookings Hall, one of the symbols of Washington University in St. Louis.Stephen Ehlers / Moment Editorial/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS — The men's soccer team at Washington University in St. Louis has been indefinitely suspended for what the university calls sexually explicit comments and other inappropriate behavior toward the women's soccer team.

Members of the women's team alerted administrators Wednesday. The suspension of the men's program was announced Friday night.

The women's team alleged that the men's soccer team maintained an online document in 2015 that logged degrading and sexually explicit comments about members of the women's team.

In response, the university announced a full-scale investigation and that the men's team would be suspended until further notice. The school said subsequent actions may be taken depending on the outcome of the investigation.

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“We are saddened and deeply troubled by these allegations and are taking them very seriously,” said Lori S. White, vice chancellor for student affairs, in a statement. “Let me be clear: There is absolutely no place at Washington University for sexism, discrimination or harassment of any kind.

Provost Holden Thorp said in a statement that the allegations "suggest an unacceptable culture." The university declined further comment.

Three men's teams in the Ivy League have been involved in suspensions for similar behavior since November: Harvard University men's soccer, some members of Columbia University's wrestling team and Princeton University's men's swimming and diving team.