Politicians poised to pour pressure onto FFA over Alen Stajcic sacking

FFA is set to come under political pressure to explain its reasons behind sacking Alen Stajcic.

South Australian politician Frank Pangallo.

Football Federation Australia is about to come under increasing pressure with South Australian MP Frank Pangallo calling on his Centre Alliance counterparts to push for an investigation into the controversial sacking of Matildas coach Alen Stajcic.

The Weekend Australian has also been told Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick has signalled his intentions to raise questions about it during Senate Estimates next week.

Pangallo, a former TV and radio football broadcaster, said the fallout from the FFA’s decision was “causing irreparable harm to women’s football, the Matildas’ successful branding and to the game in general”.

He warned the fallout from the month-long saga could have a negative effect on Australia’s 2023 Women’s World Cup bid, which has been funded with a $5 million grant from taxpayers.

“What also concerns me greatly is that the preparation for the Matildas’ 2019 World Cup campaign is being severely derailed by the controversy which isn’t likely to disappear with the event just months away,” Pangallo said.

“It could also impact on their performance during the tournament in France and there is a lot of taxpayer dollars deservedly supporting them.

“However, in all my years covering football at state, national and international level I have never seen a scandal of this magnitude engulf Australian football.

“Coaches are sacked all the time of course, but the grounds are usually on the poor performance of their teams.

“I haven’t seen a coach removed because of the ‘culture’ alone, which to this point, still ­remains unsubstantiated.

“The Matildas are our highest-ranked elite women’s international sporting team. They are No 6 in the world and one of the favourites for the World Cup, all achieved under Mr Stajcic’s extremely successful management.”

Like many fans and media commentators, Pangallo said he could not fathom how the situation had got to this point.

“Something is seriously amiss. Stajcic’s removal is incomprehensible and illogical as he still has the support of almost the entire team,” Pangallo said.

“I do not believe he has been ­accorded due process and natural justice. The FFA has trashed his career and his reputation without proper consultation and due consideration.

“Something is entirely amiss here when the only reason we have been given for his departure was the ‘culture’ — based on two half-baked surveys filled out by anonymous contributors.

“FFA chief David Gallop must provide a full explanation and ­details of his decision, not remain silent. Sentiment against the FFA since the controversial decision is running at an all-time high throughout the Australian football community.

“I am seeing very little support for it — except from the FFA ­itself.”

Pangallo said an independent inquiry was the only way to get to the bottom of the situation.

“An independent inquiry is more than warranted. Going on their most recent practice, I ­imagine if Mr Gallop and the FFA ran a Survey Monkey poll about their own performance today, they would probably have to sack themselves, such is the level of dissatisfaction with them.

“Since 2004, the Football Federation of Australia and its state ­affiliates have received more than $150m from taxpayers. This year the women’s football program will receive $1.45m from taxpayers.

“We need to know how this money is being spent and if it is being done in the best interests of the sport.

“A Senate inquiry has the power to explore governance ­issues as well as seek answers from Mr Gallop and other interested parties, including Mr Stajcic.”

Pangallo said he would ask federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie to investigate the saga.

Senator McKenzie said earlier this month she was “aware of the many concerns that people have expressed regarding Alen Stajcic (and his sacking) and I am following the situation”.

“I have been in contact with FFA and accept the decision made by the FFA board,’’ she said.