Former Vancouver Whitecaps and Team Canada women’s soccer coach Bob Birarda has been charged with several sex offences against four individuals, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service.
The charges include six counts of sexual exploitation, two counts of sexual assault and one count of child luring.
The offences are alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1, 1988 and March 25, 2008 at or near North Vancouver, Burnaby and West Vancouver, B.C.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
In 2008, Birarda was released from his duties as head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team and the U-20 Canadian women’s team with little explanation.
At the time the Canadian Soccer Association called it a mutual parting of ways.
Within months he was back coaching girls at a club team in Tsawwassen, B.C.
He continued coaching girls soccer until February 2019, when he was suspended from Surrey, B.C., club Coastal FC after former Whitecaps player Ciara McCormack published a blog titled “A Horrific Canadian Soccer Story,” alleging abusive behaviour and harassment on the part of Birarda a decade earlier.
Soon after, a dozen former Team Canada players published a joint statement alleging Birarda had sent sexualized text messages to players, made sexual comments to players, touched players inappropriately and used his position of power to make sexual advances.
The allegations triggered a public backlash against the Vancouver Whitecaps, with fans staging walkouts during games at BC Place Stadium to protest the club’s inaction in addressing the accusations.
Birarda appeared in North Vancouver Provincial Court on Wednesday. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2021.