Matildas star Lisa De Vanna considers legal action to clear name of bullying claims

Lisa De Vanna has touched on the mental torment and personal loss she has suffered as the Matildas great contemplates legal action to clear her name of bullying accusations.

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES - APRIL 30: Lisa De Vanna of Sydney FC poses with the W-League Goal of the Year award during the FFA Dolan Warren Awards at The Star on April 30, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Matildas great Lisa De Vanna is considering legal action in addition to providing Sports Integrity Australia with full documentation on an alleged “vexatious complaint” that saw an Apprehended Violence Order against her withdrawn in court in under five minutes.

In another example of the governing body failing to promptly react, De Vanna has been begging to clear her name in regards to complaints made to Football Australia for the past two years.

Former Melbourne City teammate Tyla-Jay Vlajnic made complaints against De Vanna to Football Australia in 2018, alleging she had suffered bullying and harassment.

Then in 2019, Vlajnic applied for a private AVO that was then withdrawn.

At the time, De Vanna was representing the Matildas at the World Cup in France.

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“I have been waiting more than two years to clear my name in regards to this.

“I have text messages, witnesses ... I wanted to go through the judiciary hearing process ... but they never offered me this.

“My lawyers requested the full documentation but the FA never provided it including allegations and context.

“This has come at great cost to my mental health, personal friendships with teammates — and at my own financial cost, and maybe even my career.

“This has taken me to a dark place ... and it still impacts me now.

Lisa De Vanna and Gemma Simon before their 2019 World Cup campaign. Picture: FFA

“And in regards to the AVO, I was in Italy when this all went to court in November 2019 and I hadn’t even seen TJ (Vlajnic) for more than a year ... I have wanted to clear my name and I am happy to share the texts and messages I received from TJ (Vlajnic).

“I was ambushed and will share all the documentation with the SIA. Additionally, I felt like I had no support from the PFA (Professional Footballers Australia) ... there has been a lack of fairness and process in all of this.”

De Vanna revealed to News Corp last month, allegations of a toxic culture of sexual harassment, assault, bullying and grooming — supported by three other national players at youth and senior level — within the Matildas set up.

There is no suggestion that Vlajnic was involved in the allegations that De Vanna raised.

Football Australia has maintained they did not know “specifics” of De Vanna’s allegations and the matter.

Lisa De Vanna (right). Picture: Getty

The SIA’s portal to submit complaints as part of the independent complaint handling process opened on Monday.

Complaints and reports can be submitted up to 31 January 2022 and anyone impacted by the independent complaints handling process for Football Australia will have free access to expert

mental health and wellbeing support through the AIS.

Under the arrangement, anyone who has been involved in Football Australia’s national programs will have the opportunity to access free counselling via the AIS Mental Health Referral Network from 1 November 2021 to 1 April 2022.

This includes:

- Current and former members of the men’s and women’s national teams;

- Current and former members of the A-League Men;

- Current and former members of the A-League Women;

- Current and former members of the A-League Youth;

- All impacted Football Australia staff;

- Impacted family members of the athlete or staff groups above.

Originally published as Matildas star Lisa De Vanna considers legal action to clear name of bullying claims