Lisa De Vanna’s bombshell accusations: Damning letter proves FA ‘ignored’ abuse

An open letter to FA CEO James Johnson reveals the issue of player abuse and sexual misconduct within the sport had been flagged 20 months before Lisa De Vanna’s revelations.

FA say they have spoken to Lisa De Vanna, though not about her specific complaints.

Criticised in the past for dragging its heels over player welfare issues, Football Australia (FA) has got straight on the front foot this time, promising to investigate any formal complaints that are lodged about inappropriate behaviour.

Notified by News Corp following Lisa De Vanna’s bombshell allegations about how she was harassed and bullied during her playing days, FA revealed it has already contacted the Matildas legend before it was aware of the exact nature of her complaints.

“While it is not appropriate to discuss individual cases, we have met with Lisa De Vanna and heard her grievances, and can confirm that the specific allegations made public were not raised with us in that meeting,” an FA spokesperson said.

“We have no knowledge of what steps, if any our predecessor organisation, Soccer Australia, undertook in 2001.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Christian Gilles

“In the event that Lisa chooses to lodge a formal complaint through the appropriate channels we will in turn be in a position to investigate and, if appropriate, act accordingly.

“The same process is open to Rhali Dobson and other former players and staff to formally bring forward any claims.”

FA’s promise to act quickly will be welcomed by critics who have long argued that sporting bodies too often sweep serious integrity issues under the carpet.

But they were quickly rebuffed by De Vanna’s former manager and adviser Rose Garofano, who blasted the FA’s response.

“(The FA statement is) not factually true. (De Vanna) has tried for 1.5 years to meet with Board, to finally get meeting, then cancelled & me as her mentor blocked by Chairman of FA,” Garofano wrote on Twitter.

“She finally met on 20.9.21. We submitted a request for Inquiry on 17.7.21 & still no response.

“Ever wonder how LDV became a prickly pear? She built this armour at a very young age to stop being a target.

“Not a fav of many people but raw and brazen enough to say what’s true.

“Hope more help build a different future of football.”

Not factually true. LDV has tried for 1.5 years to meet with Board, to finally get meeting, then cancelled & me as her mentor blocked by Chairman of FA. She finally met on 20.9.21. We submitted a request for Inquiry on 17.7.21 & still no response. https://t.co/uLui7cZYKW

— Rose Garofano (@rose_garofano) October 5, 2021

FA, now under the guidance of new CEO James Johnson, has vowed to change all that, revealing it has already spoken to the federal government approved authority for investigating taxpayer-funded sports.

“Over and above Football Australia’s formal complaints handling process, we have also been engaging with Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) to develop an additional process for independently investigating allegations of a historical nature as they relate to former players and staff – such as Lisa and Rhali,” FA said.

“We will announce the joint initiative with SIA once the details have been finalised.”

It is less than two years since FA conducted a review into how the sport is run in this country after the sudden dismissal of former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic but there are already calls for a fresh investigation.

Stajcic’s dismissal was not related to De Vanna’s claims and he’s not accused of any wrongdoing.

One of the findings from that 2019 review — conducted by Diane Smith-Gander, Rod McGeoch and Liz Ellis — was the lack of trust that players had in administrators but FA said important reforms were already being made and more were forthcoming.

“We have implemented at least 75% of the recommendations from the review and we are in the process of implementing the balance,” FA said.

“Further, we intend to go beyond the recommendations in the report as we set about addressing the cultural issues of the past and putting Australian football – both women’s and men’s – on a path to continual improvement and sustainable success on and off the field.

“Key initiatives so far have included the appointment of specialist resources in and around our women’s national teams including new senior and assistant coaches, high performance and technical directors, and a national wellbeing manager.”

Former Matildas' head coach Alan Stajcic’s sudden dismissal in 2019 shocked many. Picture: AAP

However, critics of the 2019 review say it was not fully independent after it emerged that Stajcic was not spoken to during the investigation.

Former head of Corporate and Public Affairs and football whistleblower Bonita Mersiades called on FA to conduct a fresh probe into De Vanna’s claims.

“They cannot, and should not, be ignored – and nor should they be examined in isolation of issues that are happening elsewhere, such as the USA and Canada,” Mersiades said in a letter from Women In Sport.

I agree @mPinoe but I have witnessed W my eyes..

-Women protecting women who abuse women.
-Players protecting senior players who abuse younger players.
-Organisations protecting “coaches/players” who abuse players.
Abuse is abuse.Poor behaviour is poor across all boards! https://t.co/jgYWTJa9M7

— Lisa De Vanna (@lisadevanna11) October 1, 2021

“We, therefore, urge you to establish an independent external inquiry into the culture of women’s football in Australia to ensure that the environment is safe and happy for all girls and women playing the game.”

FA said it was committed to the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the game and called on anyone with information to come forward.

“Australian football takes a zero-tolerance approach to any conduct which breaches the standards and values expected of people in the game,” the spokesperson said.

“To that end, we encourage anyone to bring forward their concerns through Football Australia’s formal complaints process under the Member Protection Framework, with the knowledge that any such matter will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.”

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