Bay FC’s Camberos returns to Club America after leaving over safety concerns

The 23-year-old forward returns to Mexico after a season and a half in the NWSL

Bay FC forward Scarlett Camberos has re-joined Club América for an undisclosed transfer fee, the NWSL side announced on Monday.

Camberos departed América to join Angel City FC in March 2023, requesting a transfer after she expressed concerns over her safety. The Mexico international had been targeted by a man who threatened and harassed her, and also hacked into her social media accounts.

After spending the 2023 campaign with Angel City, Camberos was traded to Bay FC ahead of its expansion season. The forward has made 10 appearances, including eight starts, scoring one goal for the California side this season.

“We are grateful for Scarlett’s hard work and commitment to Bay FC and her role in helping us lay the foundation in our first season,” said Matt Potter, Bay FC head of football and interim sporting director.

“This scenario moved quickly between clubs and ultimately with Scarlett and her agent. We believe we’ve reached an agreement that supports her desires and growth as well as ours as a club as we continue to build our squad for the future. We wish Scarlett all the best as she continues her career and look forward to her return with her new club in the Summer Cup.”

Camberos, 23, was born in California and represents Mexico internationally. She started on Saturday as Mexico fell 1-0 to the U.S. women’s national team in a friendly.

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Scarlett Camberos to join Angel City amid ongoing safety concerns in Mexico

The 22-year-old has been the target of online harassment and intimidation

Club América midfielder Scarlett Camberos is set to join Angel City FC amid continuing fears for her safety in Mexico.

Camberos filed a transfer request this month after a man, only identified as “Jose Andres N,” threatened and harassed her, and also hacked into her social media accounts.

“In support of the request from our player Scarlett Camberos and in seeking to contribute to her psychological and emotional recovery, the clubs of America and Angel City FC are in the process of reaching a deal for her transfer,” Club América said in a news release on Tuesday night.

The man who harassed Camberos was only sentenced to 36 hours of house arrest, and Club América admitted it could not guarantee the player’s safety if she stayed in Mexico.

Club América called for Mexican authorities to enact tougher laws against sexual violence and harassment, as well as new laws against online harassment

“The response from [Mexican] authorities does not give the player and her family sufficient guarantees for her emotional stability, development as a person and or for a life free of violence,” the club said.

“It is unacceptable that after months of proven harassment, the aggressions continue unpunished.”

Camberos is far from the first Liga MX Femeníl player to suffer harassment or abuse. Tigres defender Greta Espinoza said last month she’d had a similar experience, only to be told by authorities that, despite providing more than 100 photos, there was not enough evidence for a case

In 2021, América’s Selene Valera and Jana Gutiérrez said they had experienced harassment, with Gutíerrez documenting death threats as well.

Camberos, 22, joined Club América in 2021 after a standout college career at UC Irvine. The Los Angeles native made her debut for the Mexico national team in September 2022.

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Scarlett Camberos reportedly seeks Liga MX Femenil exit following harassment

A long-standing Liga MX Femeníl issue has come up once again

Scarlett Camberos is seeking a Liga MX Femeníl exit due to concerns over her safety.

Fox Sports Mexico is reporting that the Club América midfielder is considering offers from clubs in the U.S. and Europe after a man broke a restraining order Camberos placed against him, and after her social media accounts were hacked.

Per the report, Camberos has filed a transfer request with América, but the club doesn’t want to let her go without receiving a transfer fee. Last month, América posted a message of support for Camberos on Twitter.

“We strongly condemn any type of violence against women,” read América’s statement. “In accordance with our security protocols, the club provides legal, digital and psychological support. Scarlett, we are with you, count on us!”

Récord has reported that Camberos, who broke into Mexico’s senior national team last year, was granted permission to stay with family in the United States by the club, and that the man violating the restraining order was held by police for 36 hours.

Harassment, stalking long-standing issues for Liga MX Femeníl

Camberos is far from the first player in Liga MX Femeníl to go public with allegations of harassment, abuse, or stalking. Most recently, Tigres’ Greta Espinoza expressed solidarity with Camberos last month, detailing her own experience with harassment.

The Mexico defender said she provided authorities with over 100 images as evidence, only to be told it was insufficient to take any further action.

In 2021, América’s Selene Valera and Jana Gutiérrez said they had experienced harassment, with Gutíerrez documenting death threats as well.

Most disturbingly, former América players Esmeralda Verdugo and Lucero Cuevas said they were transferred to Tijuana with safety in mind after the pair were kidnapped in 2019. Verdugo later detailed the incident, adding that club officials asked her to take a polygraph test under the assumption that they might be trying to extort the club.

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