Adelaide United’s Riley McGree and three A-League players have been asked to respond to allegations of misconduct in Cambodia
Four Olyroos — including the captain and Adelaide United’s star recruit — have been asked to respond to allegations of misconduct in Cambodia in March.
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Adelaide United's Riley McGree is among four Australian under-23 players at the centre of a Football Federation Australia investigation for alleged misconduct during a tournament in Cambodia in March.
FFA have asked the quartet for a formal “show cause” process after Sport Australia received a complaint about their behaviour.
McGree, Melbourne City's Lachlan Wales and teammate Nathaniel Atkinson and Perth Glory's Brandon Wilson have been asked to explain their actions during a night out in Phnom Penh following a 2-2 draw with Korea Republic which saw the Australians qualify for the AFC U23 Championship in Thailand in January.
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McGree is expected to play his first A-League match for the Reds since April 2017 when Adelaide hosts reigning champion Sydney FC in the season opener at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.
“Adelaide United is aware of an alleged incident involving Riley McGree which occurred in March 2019,’’ said an Adelaide United spokesman.
“Adelaide United is providing Riley with the appropriate support during the show cause process.”
At the time of the allegations McGree, 20, was on loan to Melbourne City from Belgium's Club Brugge.
McGree captained the Australian under 23s under coach Graham Arnold before penning a three-year Reds deal in June.
Arnold has distanced himself saying he is not responsible for the actions of the four under-23 players.
Adelaide paid Brugge a transfer fee — believed to be an out clause in McGree’s contract — to re-secure the former Gawler Eagles junior after the alleged incident.
The Professional Footballers Australia — the players union — is offering support for all four players.
“The PFA is aware of an incident raised in relation to its members,’’ said PFA chief executive John Didulica.
“As an independent investigation and subsequent disciplinary proceedings remain active, it would be entirely inappropriate and prejudicial to comment further on the matter.
“Obviously, the players will continue to co-operate with the FFA throughout the process.”
McGree, Atkinson, Wales and Wilson were all named in the Australian under 23s squad to face New Zealand in a two-game series in NSW last month.
The investigation was completed by FFA this month.
“The investigation was initiated shortly after the complaint was received and, due to its complexity, took months to complete,’’ the FFA posted on its website.
“The FFA board considered the findings of the investigation on October 3 and the board subsequently determined that the show cause process should proceed.
“The players that are the subject of the process are: Brandon Wilson; Nathaniel Atkinson; Lachlan Wales; and Riley McGree.”
The Australian Consulate in Cambodia have been contacted for comment.