Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson demands action be taken against those guilty of player abuse

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has welcomed the independent investigation into all levels of elite Australian football.

Lisa De Vanna’s allegations have rocked Australian women’s football. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has demanded “zero tolerance” in the fight against alleged bullying, harassment and sexual abuse in Australian women’s football.

The Matildas will on Saturday night play for the first time on Australian soil since March 2020 when they meet Brazil at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium.

But it’s hardly a time to be celebrating, following former Matildas star Lisa De Vanna’s accusations against senior players of grooming, bullying, harassment and abuse.

Gustavsson said he was “shocked” when he heard about De Vanna’s allegations, which have led to an independent Sports Integrity Australia investigation into cultural problems within elite levels of Australian football.

“I‘m a very emotional person,” the Sweden-born mentor said.

“I have emotions on the outside of me. I can’t hide from that.

“We need to face this head on and be willing to try to get better in every aspect, on the field and off the field, and welcoming the independent review that’s coming up.

“There has to be a zero tolerance approach with no bullying, no harassment, no sexual abuse.

“We need to still do everything we can to get one day better, to do everything we can to make sure we improve on and off the field.”

Lisa De Vanna’s allegations have led to investigations into the workings of elite Australian football. Picture: Matthias Hangst / FIFA via Getty Images

The SIA investigation has expanded to consider complaints and reports on allegations including abuse, bullying, child abuse, child grooming, endangering the safety of a child, harassment, sexual misconduct, unlawful discrimination, victimisation and vilification at the elite levels of Australian football.

SIA chief executive officer David Sharpe said all participants in the investigation deserved the chance to “have their voices heard”.

“Our priority is for sport to be a safe, supportive environment for all participants. This process gives people an opportunity to speak up about their experiences and be heard,” Sharpe said.

“Through this process we can address issues being raised to ensure that together with sports, we build safer environments in future.”

He also reiterated the need for confidentiality to “protect the rights of complainants and respondents to a fair process”.

“There has been a lot of public commentary about this matter. The media play a vital role in highlighting these issues so they can be addressed, but Sport Integrity Australia’s formal independent process to deal with these allegations must remain confidential to protect all parties involved,” Sharpe said.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson said the organisation was “committed to the process and to safe, inclusive environments for all footballers and staff”.

“It was really important that we confronted the issue and took decisive action to put in place an entirely separate and independent process, given that the issues we’re talking about are inherently complex and deeply personal,” Johnson said.

Originally published as Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson demands action be taken against those guilty of player abuse