I want an inquiry into my sacking, says ex-Matildas coach Alen Stajcic

Sacked Matildas coach Alen Stajcic has joined widespread calls for a “full and independent” inquiry into his dismissal.

Alen Stajcic is considering legal action over his sacking as Matildas coach Picture: Jane Dempster

Sacked Matildas coach Alen Stajcic has joined widespread calls for a “full and independent” inquiry into his dismissal, which has provoked a crisis in Australian soccer.

“I look forward to the search for truth, honour and integrity in this awful saga,” Stajcic says in a statement obtained by The Australian ahead of its official release this morning. “I concur with others who are demanding a full and independent investigation.”

Stajcic said he remained in the dark about the specific reason for his sacking and had been given no explanation other than vague allegations of a poor culture within the Matildas.

He confirmed he had taken legal advice and was considering “action on defamation and the breach of contractual obligations by Football Federation Australia”.

Stajcic’s sacking will be discussed at tonight’s FFA board meeting, but there was speculation over the weekend that there could also be a push for some senior management positions, including that of FFA CEO David Gallop, to be reviewed in the wake of the sudden removal of the Matildas coach.

There have been suggestions he has been the victim of a well-­orchestrated vendetta that goes back at least seven or eight years.

A little over three weeks after FFA terminated his contract — five months out from the World Cup — Stajcic jumped on the front foot to tell his side of the story.

His statement will be released this morning through media advisers the Premier Communications Group and he will speak at a press conference at North Sydney later in the day.

Stajcic said his sacking had left his family devastated, his career “in tatters” and his reputation “ruined”.

FFA, which says it based its decision to sack him on two surveys filled in by Matildas players and staff — one a wellbeing audit from Professional Footballers Australia and another from anti-domestic violence group Our Watch — as well as its own investigation, has continually cited confidentiality arrangements for its silence.

However, while there is no “smoking gun” and no suggestions whatsoever of sexual misconduct or violence on Stajcic’s part, it hasn’t stopped innuendo and speculation.

Stajcic, who has dedicated 20 years to the cause of women’s football and is understood to have the support of most Matildas, vehemently denies wrongdoing.

“Throughout this difficult time, I have tried to remain constructive and consider all of the affected parties. Most importantly, I have also acted in the best interests of my family, innocent persons who are suffering personally due to the injustice that has occurred. This has taken a huge personal toll on my family,” Stajcic said. “In order to protect my reputation in the face of unwarranted speculation from various sources, I feel that it is necessary I make this statement in relation to the FFA’s decision to terminate my employment.

“I state categorically that, during my time as Matildas head coach, I never witnessed, never participated in, and never acquiesced to the participation of others in any impropriety or misconduct relating to players or the Matildas set-up.

“The explanations proffered by FFA for my dismissal were; i) termination without cause; ii) that no actions or behaviours of misconduct could be attributed to me; iii) the FFA’s CEO’s assertion that the Matildas had a “poor culture”.

Significantly, Stajcic, 45, said that at no time was he made aware of any issues around environment or poor culture within the Matildas.

“I wish to make it abundantly clear that during my time as Matildas coach, over nearly five years, I was not made aware, by Mr Gallop, of the existence of, or the occurrence of, any serious issues concerning the Matildas set-up.

“In fact, up until the day before the FFA terminated my employment, I had only ever received praise from Mr Gallop both publicly and privately.”

Backing up Stajcic’s claim, it was revealed last week that he and FFA were negotiating his World Cup bonuses “barely a month before he was sacked, having allegedly overseen an ‘unsatisfactory’ team environment”.

In revealing he had taken legal advice, Stajcic pointed to comments made to the media by an FFA board member several weeks ago.

“The events of the last few weeks have devastated both me and my family. My career is in tatters and my reputation has been ruined,” he said. “My family must now live out this daily drama in the public eye. Reading reports quoting an FFA board director, again without any specifics or understanding of the work we had been doing, has been extraordinarily hurtful. It has only added fuel to this firestorm of speculation.

“Statements that were leaked by this particular board director, which included ‘that he would never work in football again’, have caused irreparable damage. The emotional and mental toll that the past fortnight has taken on me, and my family, cannot be described in words,

“I consider the actions of the FFA to be without foundation and unjustifiable — and the alleged actions of the FFA board member have smeared my name, not only as an international coach, but as a father and as a person.

“I have taken legal advice about these matters, which includes potential action on defamation and the breach of contractual obligations by the FFA.”

Stajcic said that despite all the controversy and the devastating effect on him and his family, he will continue to follow the Matildas and wants to see them win the World Cup in France.

“While it has broken my heart and spirit to think I am no longer on that journey I shared with so many for such a long time, I will continue to follow the Matildas.

“I truly wish to see Australia take its rightful place on the world football stage and believe this team can do it.

“For now, I look forward to the search for truth, honour and integrity in this awful saga. I concur with others who are demanding a full and independent investigation.”

Stajcic’s statement comes as serious concerns have been raised over the PFA’s wellbeing audit.

The website footballtoday.news discovered that the survey was still available online on Saturday and could still be filled in, with several people indicating on social media that they had completed it that day. It was taken down 20 minutes later after footballtoday.news had pointed it out.

“The fact that the wellbeing audit was still live and online, using the Survey Monkey tool and without password protection, until at least 2.30pm (AEDT) yesterday (Saturday) is of concern in light of earlier statements about its confidentiality,” the website wrote.