‘We got it wrong’ on Alen Stajcic: FFA and Heather Reid

Alen Stajcic vindicated

FFA has today issued a statement finally correcting its mismanagement of the termination of Alen Stajcic as coach of the Matildas in January this year.

They admit that Stajcic “was not terminated on the basis that he had breached his contract or had engaged in any misconduct” and any inference to the contrary is wrong.

After originally raising issues allegedly arising out of anonymous surveys and mentioning Our Watch as contributing factors to Stajcic's sacking, FFA has now stated that they exercised a “contractual right of termination” because they thought that the Matildas would benefit from a new coach at the World Cup.

FFA also acknowledged “that some of the speculation about the termination of Alen’s contract was caused by statements made by one of its directors, Heather Reid.”

FFA then throws Reid under the proverbial directorship bus and makes it clear the statements were not made on their behalf.

FFA has also circulated a statement from Reid which we present in full below.

“I apologise unreservedly for the damage, distress and hurt that I have caused to Alen Stajcic as a professional football coach and long-time servant to, and advocate for, Australian and women’s football. I understand that my conduct in making public and private statements may have caused serious damage to Mr Stajcic’s reputation, both in Australia and internationally.

On 22 January 2019 The Sydney Morning Herald published a story about the termination of Mr Stajcic’s contract by Football Federation Australia (FFA), in which I was quoted as saying that if people knew the actual facts about Mr Stajcic’s behaviour ‘they would be shocked.’

I also, at around this time, sent personal communications to a number of people including various members of the media, in which I suggested that, if the whole truth could be told, Mr Stajcic would never work again in women’s football. I understand also that these communications ended up in the hands of other journalists who have used my words to compound the speculation and innuendo as to the reason why Mr Stajcic’s employment was terminated.

I withdraw my statements entirely and unconditionally. Mr Stajcic’s contract was terminated by FFA, by a decision of the FFA Board, of which I am a member. FFA elected to terminate Mr Stajcic’s employment contract by it making a payment in lieu of notice. Mr Stajcic’s contract was not terminated by FFA for breach of contract by Mr Stajcic, or because of any misconduct on Mr Stajcic’s part. I accept that I was wrong to imply otherwise.

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.”

It's good to see the FFA Board and Stajcic come to an agreement on this matter.

Football Today is aware that some of the communications to “a number of people including …. media” to which Reid now admits to in her statement were made as early as 19 January when Stajcic's termination was announced and continued after we published this article revealing these messages.

As we also made clear after Reid sent us a 'cease and desist' notice, these communications were made available to the Chairman of FFA, Chris Nikou. Reid stood aside from the Board on health grounds later that same day after Nikou received the material.

However, as with FFA and Stajcic, and in the interests of the Matildas – not to mention transparency and accountability in the governance of our game which we have long campaigned about – Football Today trusts that this matter is finished.

We are pleased to see that FFA has “gratefully acknowledge(d) the significant contribution that Alen has made to women’s football in Australia and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”

We agree. We wish Stajcic and his family all the best as he continues in his role with Central Coast Mariners, and Reid all the best in dealing with her health issue.

And …. #GoMatildas.