The president of the Alberta Soccer Association has been forcibly removed from his position and handed a significant suspension after an independent investigation substantiated allegations of workplace harassment.
Investigation Uncovers Unacceptable Conduct
JR Figueiredo has been ousted from the organization's board and suspended from all association activities for five years following the probe. The investigation was triggered by a workplace harassment complaint filed earlier this year against the president.
In an official email, Alison Meaney, a director with the Alberta Soccer Association, revealed that the findings from the independent investigation were particularly alarming. She described the results as "troubling and deeply concerning" for the provincial sporting body.
Specific Findings of Workplace Harassment
The investigation concluded that Figueiredo engaged in "conduct that is simply unacceptable in the workplace" and specifically found that he "wielded his authority and power in an aggressive and abusive manner." This behavior was formally classified as workplace harassment by investigators.
More disturbingly, the probe determined that Figueiredo had used his power or authority improperly in what was described as an attempt "to coerce another person to engage in inappropriate activities." These findings were initially detailed in a five-page letter sent from the organization's board to its members, as first reported by CBC News.
Immediate Consequences and Future Actions
The disciplinary actions against Figueiredo took effect on November 4, 2025. Meaney confirmed that the association's members will further address the matter at a special general meeting, though the specific date for this gathering has not yet been scheduled.
In her statement, Meaney emphasized the organization's commitment to proper conduct, stating: "As the governing body for soccer in Alberta, the ASA acknowledges its responsibility to foster a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all. There is no place in the ASA for harassment, bullying, or any other form of misconduct."
Figueiredo, who was photographed during the opening of a new soccer dome in southeast Calgary in May 2025, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding his removal and suspension.
