(Vancouver) A provincial court judge in North Vancouver has sentenced former Vancouver Whitecaps and Soccer Canada coach Bob Birarda to two years for sexual offenses against four female players.
Posted at 3:59 p.m.
Judge Deanna Gaffar said Birarda had “done immeasurable harm” and violated the sexual integrity of four “young” female soccer players, including three who were under the age of 18 during the incidents.
Judge Gaffar added that Birarda will spend nearly 16 months of the sentence behind bars, while the remaining eight months will be served in the community under conditions that have yet to be determined.
A three-year probation will follow.
Judge Gaffar added that Birarda was in a position of trust with each of the victims, who feared harming their soccer careers by rejecting his advances.
Birarda, 55, pleaded guilty last February to three charges of sexual assault and one charge of sexual assault involving teenage girls.