Former Quebec soccer player Rhian Wilkinson, who became a head coach after her career on the field, resigned from her post with the Portland Thorns on Friday after an intimate relationship between her and one of their players was brought to light.

The 40-year-old woman also wrote a letter, which she published on her social networks, to explain the whole situation.

We also learn that she preferred to resign at the request of her players.

Wilkinson first explains that his “friendship grew into a relationship of more complex emotions” with the player in question, who was not named. “In mid-October, the player shared her feelings with me, to which I responded in the same way.”

The relationship didn’t go beyond this shared feeling, however, as the two women no longer saw each other outside of team activities. Wilkinson even contacted Human Resources. Both the United States Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Players’ Association launched an investigation, but it found that no rules had been broken.

“Following a thorough investigation during our playoff run, which included reviewing all communications between the player and myself and interviewing each of us, I was cleared of any liability in this matter,” Wilkinson added.

“Once the investigation was complete, I informed all staff of what had happened, but the players found out before I could inform them. I can understand the players feeling betrayed and having to deal with another story that has nothing to do with football.

Before holding various coaching positions after retiring from playing in 2017, Wilkinson had amassed 181 selections for the Canada national team, including winning bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. She had just completed her first season as head coach of the Thorns and helped them win the NWSL playoffs.