Ciara McCormack: the Canadian whistleblower turned soccer CEO

Four years after coming forward about systemic abuse in Canadian soccer, Ciara McCormack has become the first female co-owner and CEO of a League of Ireland club

Treaty United co-owner and CEO Ciara McCormack poses for a portrait after a Treaty United FC press conference at Clayton Hotel Limerick in Limerick. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile

When Ciara McCormack finished her testimony before a Canadian parliamentary committee hearing on safe sport last April, she decided to buy a soccer team. It was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. For over a decade, the former Vancouver Whitecaps player and Republic of Ireland international had fought to highlight abuse and cover-ups at the highest level of Canadian soccer.

Some people listened to McCormack and her fellow players. Others didn’t. Or if they did listen, they decided everything was OK. Or decided institutions must be protected above the welfare of people.