Former United States international midfielder Jermaine Jones has been suspended from coaching through the end of the 2024 USL League One season after an investigation 'substantiated' multiple instances of harassment, retaliation, and hostility towards team members.
According to Jeff Rueter of The Athletic, Jones - the coach of Central Valley Fuego FC in California - has not coached the team in a match since August 30. The reasons were unknown until the outlet published its report on Thursday.
Central Valley Fuego and the league did not announce Jones' suspension publicly, given the USL is not a single-entity league and clubs are left to determine themselves whether to announce suspensions or fines.
The USL officially suspended Jones on September 27 - notifying him, the club, and other involved parties. According to the league, the suspension is final and the investigation is closed.
But according to the club and a lawyer representing Jones, they are seeking to reinstate him based on an audit of the investigation that was conducted by the team. The results of said audit have not been released to The Athletic or the USL Players Association (USLPA), the league's union for athletes.
Jermaine Jones has been suspended from coaching USL League One side Central Valley Fuego
'Jermaine Jones was subject to bias and unfair treatment by the USLPA,' said Soroosh Abdi, Jones' lawyer - who added that the audit found 'both substantial and procedural shortcomings' which negated the investigation's findings.
In a statement, the club said, 'We are hopeful he will rejoin the team before the season ends.'
However, the league released a statement of its own, saying, 'We have complete confidence in the integrity of this process. When matters are resolved, we focus on promoting accountability and personal growth, ensuring that all individuals involved have the opportunity to learn and improve.'
The USLPA issued a pointed reaction after the publication of The Atheltic's reporting: 'It is unacceptable for athletes to endure conditions that disregard their rights and safety.
'When players are not treated with the respect they deserve, it not only harms their mental and emotional health but also erodes the integrity of the sport itself. Unfortunately, this is what players have experienced within the environment of Central Valley Fuego.
'The third-party investigation of Jermaine Jones highlights a pattern of behavior and events within the Club which the USLPA cannot ignore. Organizations need to be accountable for creating safe and respectful workplaces.
'While we trust that the USL shares this commitment, we are concerned with the USL's discipline in this instance and its effectiveness in protecting players going forward.
'The USLPA believes it is imperative for the USL to conduct a rigorous and comprehensive review of Central Valley Fuego and its management in order to get to the root of this problematic culture. This should be followed by appropriate action to uphold the principles of player safety and dignity within our league.'
Anonymous players told The Athletic of harassment, retaliation, and hostility they experienced
Central Valley Fuego staff before a US Open Cup qualifying match in April of 2024
Three active players and an employee of the club, speaking anonymously to The Athletic, described experiences of tension, fear and mental anguish since Jones took up the head coaching role with the club in 2023.
'It's been nothing short of a complete catastrophe, and it's so toxic. It doesn't need to be like that,' said the anonymous club employee.
The investigation conducted by the league found that Jones broke the league's policies to safeguard players in six different ways - national origin harassment, emotional misconduct, power imbalance, harassment, hostile environment, and retaliation - with results revealing repeat instances of each breach.
The players interviewed by The Athletic told the outlet that Jones directed them to not interact with the players union - saying any issues should be handled with him directly. That led to the basis of a complaint that has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board, which is pending.
'He said we can't talk to the players' union, but that is our right,' said one anonymous player. 'He can do just about whatever he wants to do to you. He can pretty much bully you, harass you - you will say nothing to nobody. You have to be quiet and take the harassment. If you do the right things as a club, you don't care about getting involved with the players union.'
Players interviewed said that Jones also repeatedly used his status as an ex-USMNT player to coerce players to take his side.
As one player said, 'He comes in here, saying he played for the US national team, he's powerful. He has friends in the federation and all over the place. He tells us that if he wants to destroy someone, he can destroy their careers.'
The squad is currently languishing at the bottom of the league table this season
Jones' suspension remains through year's end and sees him on probation throughout 2025
Jones also mocked League One's standing in the American soccer pyramid to establish superiority over the players, with one player saying that he called it a 's**t league' and that he 'doesn't even want to be here.'
Over the summer, Jones reportedly asked a player on the team to retire and become a coach in order to open up an international slot for a prospective signee. The player declined the coaching contract and he was frozen out of the first team.
'They don't even care about mental health,' said one player who added, 'Thank God there's just one month left (in the season). It's just too much.'
'Guys are afraid (to speak up), because this season is still on,' said another player. 'People want a job. This man has threatened them that coaches have a union, they call each other. If any coach calls him about you, 'imma tell them straight up you ain't s**t.' To be honest, the experience has been horrible and traumatic.'
Even after Jones took a step back from the sideline, players say he was still making decisions about the team - even amidst the investigation. The club and the league did not respond to a specific question from The Athletic about that assertion.
Jones' suspension runs through the end of the season - with the coach also being put on probation for the 2025 season.
Currently, Central Valley Fuego FC sit bottom of USL League One on 15 points through 19 matches. They are five points and four places out of a playoff spot with three matches remaining in their season.