Matildas v Brazil: Australia coach Tony Gustavsson urges players to speak up in wake of sickening complaints

Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson was ‘shocked’ when he first heard about Lisa De Vanna’s sickening complaints and has urged any players who have experienced abuse within the game to report it.

WIESBADEN, GERMANY - APRIL 10: Tony Gustavsson, Head Coach of Australia gives their team instructions during the Women's International Friendly match between Germany and Australia at BRITA-Arena on April 10, 2021 in Wiesbaden, Germany. Sporting stadiums around Germany remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Joosep Martinson/Getty Images)

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has launched a passionate plea to any players who have experienced abuse within the game to report it to the proper authorities after revealing he was “shocked” when he first heard about Lisa De Vanna’s sickening complaints.

One of the world’s most successful coaches, Gustavsson maintains that he hasn’t seen or heard of any behavioural issues within the Matildas since he took over at the start of the year.

But the Swede said he recognises that others might have had different experiences so he has urged anyone who has witnessed any type of misbehaviour to alert the independent investigation that is being run by Sport Integrity Australia.

Tony Gustavsson was distressed by the allegations he heard.

“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,” he said.

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

The Matildas came under fire last week when they issued a gushing statement praising the “family” culture within the squad, with barely any mention of De Vanna’s complaints, so Gustavsson chose his words carefully, explaining how his own positive experiences were not meant to undermine the serious complaints that others, including De Vanna, had made.

“I hope it‘s not interpreted as me not respecting the people that might have a different experience,” he said.

“I am the proudest and happiest coach in the international game of football to lead the Matildas...I‘m like a kid before Christmas, I can’t wait to get to meet the players and the staff.

“But that doesn‘t mean we should stop there. 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.”

Gustavsson said he spoke to his players and staff about the allegations and admitted he was distressed by what he heard.

While De Vanna said her mistreatment happened years ago, she also claimed that there were still problems happening within the current Matildas squad but players were too frightened to speak up because they feared retribution.

Gustavsson maintains he hasn’t seen or heard of behavioural issues since he took over.

The SIA inquiry has promised full confidentiality for anyone who does come forward with a complaint and Gustavsson says he wants everyone who has a complaint to feel safe to report it.

“I was shocked,” he said.

“I‘m a very emotional person. I have emotions on the outside of me. I can’t hide from that. I’m happy when I’m happy. I’m sad when I’m sad, I’m angry when I’m angry.

“I‘m a passionate person and I think there’s a lot of emotions going through me at that time, so I just felt straight away that we need to do everything we can to support the people at the centre of this.

“It‘s very important that we can encourage people to come forward...I would definitely encourage them to do so.”

Originally published as Matildas v Brazil: Australia coach Tony Gustavsson urges players to speak up in wake of sickening complaints