Australian football alleged toxic culture review fallout: Police called on to look at three complaints that could warrant criminal investigations

Not everyone is happy with the recommendations, questioning the impact the federal government-backed authority actually has, while referring to the process as smoke and mirrors.

Matildas.

Police have been called in to look at three separate complaints that could warrant criminal investigations following a five-month review into the alleged toxic culture within Australian football.

The shocking findings completely vindicate Lisa De Vanna, the former Matildas captain who courageously came forward to blow the whistle on the sport’s darkest secrets.

But while De Vanna herself has welcomed the acknowledgment of the problems at the game’s highest tier, she told News Corp the report doesn’t go far enough because abuse is also happening at the community and grassroots level.

“I can’t say too much as investigations are still going,” De Vanna said.

“But for the SIA (Sport Integrity Australia) to only investigate incidents at the national level was concerning.

“I think many people may walk away from this investigation discouraged by the whole process.”

Lisa De Vanna went public with her bombshell allegations about abuse within football. Picture: AAP Images

SIA – the federal government backed authority which conducted the review – confirmed it heard 27 separate complaints after launching its confidential review into alleged abuse, bullying, child abuse, child grooming, endangering the safety of a child, harassment, sexual misconduct, unlawful discrimination, victimisation and vilification at the national level.

The review commenced late last year after Football Australia finally agreed to allow for a fully independent probe after News Corp’s bombshell revelations that allegations of serious abuse in the sport were being swept under the carpet.

In announcing the completion of the first phase of the review, the SIA said it was proceeding with investigations into two complaints but had also made a series of recommendations on other serious allegations it was not authorised to adjudicate on – including the unidentified cases that will involve the cops.

“Three of the 25 submissions which were out of scope have been referred to law enforcement because they included information that could warrant criminal investigation,” SIA said.

Of the 27 confidential complaints that were heard, nine came from individuals directly impacted, while the remaining 18 came from witnesses.

One of the first major sports in Australia to agree to an independent review of its complaints handling, Football Australia issued a statement reaffirming that it will abide by any recommendations, saying it “continues to fully support this ongoing independent and confidential process.”

“Football Australia remains committed to the process and Policy it proactively initiated in October 2021,” the FA said.

Released just hours before WLeague’s red carpet awards night, the groundbreaking recommendations have not pleased everyone with a number of insiders contacting News Corp to slam the process as smoke and mirrors.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution, one insider said: “This is why people don‘t go ahead and make a complaint.

“The fact that the SIA has recommended complaints made in community football … to go back to Football Australia with the complaint — because FA governs community football — is flawed.

“It makes you wonder how much impact or say the SIA actually has.”

Another said: “It’s been a waste of time. Abuse is abuse — even if it happened five years ago at a local RSL club. All matters should have been looked at.”

While the review only considered incidents at the national tier, News Corp spoke with numerous parents who said their daughters had been subjected to bullying and grooming at lower levels.

These included:

• One parent saying a male coach, 20 years older than her teenage daughter, promised her a place on the starting line-up if she agreed to his sexual advances;

• Another said a senior female player sent his high-school aged daughter nude videos of herself;

• Players said they were bullied out of teams after announcing their intention to report unwanted and unwelcome sexual advances to club presidents.

One parent told News Corp: “It’s a predatory environment that parents feel that can’t speak up about without fear of retribution.

“So far, four or five elite players have come out about the toxic culture but it is also happening at grassroots.”

SIA chief executive David Sharpe said all complaints were taken seriously even if they were outside the investigation’s framework.

“Although we received a number of submissions which were out of scope, Sport Integrity Australia evaluated each submission and assisted those lodging complaints to connect them to alternate options or contact the relevant body where possible who could manage the complaint.

“Every person who speaks up helps us understand what is happening in their sport, and where, and on what issues we need to direct our education and policy resources to build stronger, safer environments in future.”