Four Olyroos players under investigation for alleged off-field incident in Cambodia
Four Olyroos players are under investigation from the FFA after a night out following a tournament in Cambodia.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Update: A broken curfew could cost four Olyroos dearly, as they face an investigation into an alleged incident on tour last March.
The quartet could potentially face fines or even suspension from the Olympic qualifying tournament in January after being issued with a show-cause notice that begins disciplinary proceedings against them over a complaint made about their behaviour after a tournament in Cambodia.
It’s understood that captain Riley McGree, Brandon Wilson, Lachlan Wales and Nathaniel Atkinson all broke a curfew imposed by head coach Graham Arnold after the last game against South Korea, and one of them contacted a local woman via Tinder.
Stream every game of The 2019/20 Hyundai A-League season LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial & start streaming instantly >
The Daily Telegraph has been told there are no allegations of sexual impropriety or assault, and that the complaint against them was later withdrawn.
All four players were omitted from the Olyroos’ training camp being held this week in Doha though it predominantly comprises overseas-based players.
In a statement, FFA said the show-cause notices to the players follow “an extensive, independently-run investigation into a complaint received by the FFA. The investigation was initiated shortly after the complaint was received and, due to its complexity, took months to complete”.
Arnold read his own statement about the alleged incident during a press conference before Thursday night’s World Cup qualifier against Nepal, in which he said he was only notified of the alleged incident after returning to Australia.
The alleged misbehaviour has been the subject of a thorough investigation,” he said. “I have always, and always will, make it very clear to my staff and players of my expectations of them in camp.
“They are the public face of football, in this country and abroad, and with that comes added responsibility. We now need to ensure that the individuals concerned are given the opportunity to participate in a fair process as required under the FFA’s disciplinary regulations.”
Asked if he felt responsible for his players’ actions, Arnold added: “Sometimes people take their own responsibility.”
Sanctions under the FFA’s code of conduct include fines and suspensions, with the case likely to be heard by an independent tribunal.
Originally published as Four Olyroos players under investigation for alleged off-field incident in Cambodia