## Megan Rapinoe Accuses Former OL Reign Coach Farid Benstiti of ‘Fat Shaming’ Players
Megan Rapinoe is making serious allegations against former OL Reign coach Farid Benstiti, claiming that he engaged in fat-shaming behavior towards players before ultimately being pushed to resign last season.
Benstiti’s resignation in July raised eyebrows, with little explanation initially given for his departure. However, a report by the [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/09/30/nwsl-abuse-north-carolina-courage-washington-spirit/) in October shed light on a formal complaint filed against Benstiti for verbal abuse, particularly focusing on his alleged inappropriate comments about players’ fitness and nutrition.
Speaking in a recent [NPR interview](https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1102146428), Rapinoe supported these claims as a part of the broader pattern of mistreatment faced by players in women’s soccer. Rapinoe described one instance where Benstiti crossed the line with a fat-shaming comment, stating, “He was talking about — he’s going to, like, take people’s food away. And I’m like, ‘Oh, my God, grow up. You just got yourself fired; you’re so stupid.’”
Rapinoe expressed the power dynamics at play in such situations, highlighting the vulnerability of players, especially those on low salaries and lacking autonomy in their careers. She emphasized the challenges faced by young players entering the sport post-college, where speaking up against authority figures can be daunting due to the fear of repercussions.
This isn’t the first time Benstiti has been accused of fat shaming. Rapinoe’s USWNT teammate Lindsey Horan shared on the Butterfly Road podcast last year how Benstiti’s weight criticisms had left her contemplating quitting soccer, recounting a painful encounter during her time at Paris Saint-Germain club.
These claims bring to light a distressing pattern of behavior, underscoring the need for accountability and respectful treatment within the sporting community.
*This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.*
