Banned Olyroos Lachie Wales, Nathaniel Atkinson, Riley McGree and Brandon Wilson free to play in A-League
The Olyroos had just scraped through the latest phase of qualifying for Tokyo 2020 and coach Graham Arnold gave players permission to let their hair down. David Davutovic reveals what happened next.
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The Olyroos had just scraped through the latest phase of qualifying in Cambodia to edge a step closer to Tokyo 2020, clinging on in a tense 2-2 draw with arch rivals South Korea.
When the bus pulled back into their Phnom Penh hotel, relieved coach Graham Arnold gave elated players permission to let their hair down after a tough fortnight ended.
The under-23 Australian side had fought its way through to January’s final phase of qualifying, to be played 10 months later, after three group games.
The message, as has been the case in Socceroos camps, was simple according one version of events: “Enjoy one or two beers, then back to your rooms”.
The squad members had to fly out the next morning to rejoin their respective clubs.
But until then the players congregated in a hotel bar.
Arnold and his coaching staff – including then head of delegation Luke Casserly – reflected on the tournament nearby.
Other sources have indicated it was “a lot more than one or two” and it is understood that the bar tab was covered by FFA.
There were no signs of the chaos that was about to ensue, as the players trickled back to their rooms as instructed.
This is when the fate of four young players took a turn for the worse. “Over the whole tournament I couldn’t be prouder of the boys,” Arnold had said just hours earlier.
“They have been away together for 16, 17 days and they haven’t really had a day off, they’ve worked really hard and I am very proud to be their coach.
“I thought our first 55 minutes (against Korea Republic) was outstanding, and we’ve achieved the purpose of the trip which was to advance through to the next phase in Thailand.”
Riley McGree – then at Melbourne City, now at Adelaide United – was to again captain the team in January.
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Fellow Melbourne City pair Lachie Wales and Nathaniel Atkinson – also regulars for Warren Joyce at their club – had been strong contributors to the campaign, with Wales assisting a goal earlier that day.
Perth Glory’s Brandon Wilson was also a key player and an Arnold favourite.
But that night they would make a decision that would ultimately cost three of them their Olympic careers.
One of the Olyroos players made contact with a woman on Tinder and she accepted an invitation to come to their hotel.
She had consensual sex with the players.
There was no suggestion of assault or coercion.
The woman later approached the Australian embassy in Phnom Penh, said to be within a week, aggrieved at how the night had ended.
It is believed the woman sought an apology and was concerned about photos being taken.
It is understood that at no stage did she consider pressing charges.
Football Federation Association and Sport Australia, which oversees the Olympics, was alerted to the incident by the embassy.
FFA then engaged independent investigators who interviewed the woman, the Olyroos quartet and staff.
FFA staff members were cleared of any wrongdoing.
Eight months later, on Tuesday, the FFA announced that the four had been banned from international duties - McGee until April 1, while Atkinson, Wales and Wilson were ruled out until August 10, costing them any chance of playing at the Tokyo Olympics if Australia qualifies.
The FFA has indicated that the lengthy investigation was because of several rounds of interviews taking place, as well as show-cause notices and submissions to be considered by the FFA board before it handed down a ruling.
“As the matter may be subject to appeal, and out of respect to the complainant, FFA is unable to provide further comments regarding this matter at this time,” an FFA spokesperson said yesterday.
“A review of Australia’s national teams has been completed by an independent committee and is currently under review by the board.”
The players’ union — Professional Footballers Australia — issued a brief statement on Wednesday, saying: “Our primary concern is working through the appeals process with the members and safeguarding their wellbeing through a challenging period.”
The incident came during a tumultuous year for the FFA — just two months after Matildas boss Alen Stajcic was sacked for overseeing a “toxic culture”.
BANNED PLAYERS GIVEN A-LEAGUE GREEN LIGHT
The four Olyroos banned for bringing the game into disrepute following an Olympic qualifying game in Cambodia can play club football this weekend.
Melbourne City pair Lachie Wales and Nathaniel Atkinson, Adelaide United’s Riley McGree and Perth Glory’s Brandon Wilson are free to line up for their A-League sides.
The four were all hit with lengthy national bans by Football Federation Australia on Tuesday after breaking curfew on tour eight months ago.
It is alleged one of the players invited a woman to their hotel room in Phnom Penh after making contact on Tinder.
They are believed to have had consensual sex.
There was no suggestion of any assault or coercion.
Wales, Atkinson and Wilson have been banned until August 10 and will miss next year’s Tokyo Olympics if Australia qualifies. McGree has been suspended until April 1.
The players have until next week to appeal.