11 Feb Findings from Matildas surveys won’t be released: Gallop

FFA CEO David Gallop says releasing the findings from the wellbeing surveys conducted by Matildas players and staff would be a breach of confidence.

The results from the surveys lead to the shock sacking of former Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic.

Stajcic spoke for the first time since his contract was terminated on January 19, demanding an independent inquiry into the handling of his dismissal and denying any cultural issues within the Matildas squad.

“We are not going to get into a point by point debate that further distracts the team. Mr Stajcic knows that the team environment, contrary to today’s comments, was not satisfactory. A change was needed,” Gallop said in a statement.

“We are also mindful that the people who participated in the review processes, including the surveys and other information gathered, did so on a confidential basis. We will not breach those commitments to players and staff.

“We appreciate and acknowledge Mr Stajcics’ best wishes for the team and the players and it was never our intent to cause him or his family distress. It was a decision based on the best outcome for the players and staff.

“Our focus is on the recruitment of the new coach of the Matildas. We will be announcing the new coach in the coming weeks.”

FFA Chairman Chris Nikou says the board were within their rights to act with the Women’s World Cup only months away.

“We disagree with many of his assertions and were surprised by a number of his comments,” Nikou said.

“Indeed Mr Stajcic, by his own admission and in the presence of an FFA lawyer and the FFA CEO David Gallop, said that the team environment was ‘dysfunctional’ and was ‘always going to be this way’.

“In those circumstances we decided to act in time to put the team’s FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign back on track. It’s the Board’s duty to make these decisions.”