FFA director apologises to sacked Matilda’s coach Alen Stajcic

Football Federation Australia (FFA) board director Heather Reid has issued a public apology to former national women’s team coach Alen Stajcic.

Stajcic, who is now coach of the A-League’s Central Coast Mariners, said his reputation had been left in tatters after he was fired just five months before the Women’s World Cup.

The reason given for his dismissal was that he had presided over a “poor culture” in the team revealed by an internal survey, but the lack of detail in the charge led to intense speculation.

Reid admitted playing a full part in fuelling that speculation by sending messages to journalists saying that if the truth were to come out, Stajcic would “never work again in women’s football”.

In a statement released on Reid’s behalf by the FFA, she said:

“I apologise unreservedly for the damage, distress and hurt that I have caused to Alen Stajcic.

“I withdraw my statements entirely and unconditionally. I regret making these statements. I apologise also for pain and suffering that I have caused to Mr Stajcic’s wife and two young children.”

Ante Milicic took over from Stajcic as Matildas head coach and will hope to lead Australia out of the group stages when they face Italy, Brazil and Jamaica.

The Women’s World Cup begins on June 7 and continues until July 7.