Australian Under-23 Football Team Accused of Behaving Badly in Phnom Penh
Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 11:37 pm
The news of possible sanctions against 4 members of the Under-23 Australian football team for bad behaviour whilst in Cambodia in March has only just reached the public domain, but the "bad behaviour" itself is still under wraps. Any ideas ?
Olyroos captain and three teammates face possible sanctions after night out in Cambodia
Exclusive by political reporter Jack Snape
Updated yesterday at 11:07pm
Four of Australia's top young footballers face possible fines and suspensions after an end-of-tournament night out in Cambodia.
Key points:
Four top young Australian players face sanctions after a big night out in Cambodia
The players are members of the under-23 'Olyroos' team
The incident has only just come to light because it took months to investigate, due to its "complexity"
The ABC can reveal Football Federation Australia (FFA) will demand up-and-coming forward Lachlan Wales, young defender Nathaniel Atkinson and midfielders Brandon Wilson and Riley McGree explain their alleged behaviour, under a formal "show cause" process.
McGree, who has recently signed a three-year contract with Adelaide United, is captain of the national under-23 side.
The show-cause process — which provides the players with an opportunity to respond to the FFA's findings — follows an ABC investigation that uncovered a complaint lodged earlier this year to Sport Australia, the nation's rebranded sports commission, through a freedom of information enquiry.
The four players, members of Australia's under-23 'Olyroos' team, were in Phnom Penh at the end of March as they sought qualification for next year's Olympics.
The young players may be in breach of the FFA code of conduct, which requires players to:
At all times behave in a manner that promotes and upholds the highest standards of integrity, dignity and professionalism;
Comply with any team protocol and procedures, including in relation to alcohol, curfews and inappropriate relationships; and
Not act in a manner contrary to the best interests of the team.
The FFA has not confirmed the precise nature of the four players' behaviour, the findings of its investigation, or what prompted the Sport Australia complaint.
The night out came after Australia blew a two-goal lead to draw with South Korea in its final match of the tournament in March.
'Complex' investigation
The incident has only just come to light because it took months to investigate, due to its "complexity", the FFA told the ABC.
That inquiry delivered findings to the FFA board on October 3, which resulted in the show causes being issued.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-09/ ... a/11577578
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold speaks to the media:
https://video.news24.com/show/173179
Olyroos captain and three teammates face possible sanctions after night out in Cambodia
Exclusive by political reporter Jack Snape
Updated yesterday at 11:07pm
Four of Australia's top young footballers face possible fines and suspensions after an end-of-tournament night out in Cambodia.
Key points:
Four top young Australian players face sanctions after a big night out in Cambodia
The players are members of the under-23 'Olyroos' team
The incident has only just come to light because it took months to investigate, due to its "complexity"
The ABC can reveal Football Federation Australia (FFA) will demand up-and-coming forward Lachlan Wales, young defender Nathaniel Atkinson and midfielders Brandon Wilson and Riley McGree explain their alleged behaviour, under a formal "show cause" process.
McGree, who has recently signed a three-year contract with Adelaide United, is captain of the national under-23 side.
The show-cause process — which provides the players with an opportunity to respond to the FFA's findings — follows an ABC investigation that uncovered a complaint lodged earlier this year to Sport Australia, the nation's rebranded sports commission, through a freedom of information enquiry.
The four players, members of Australia's under-23 'Olyroos' team, were in Phnom Penh at the end of March as they sought qualification for next year's Olympics.
The young players may be in breach of the FFA code of conduct, which requires players to:
At all times behave in a manner that promotes and upholds the highest standards of integrity, dignity and professionalism;
Comply with any team protocol and procedures, including in relation to alcohol, curfews and inappropriate relationships; and
Not act in a manner contrary to the best interests of the team.
The FFA has not confirmed the precise nature of the four players' behaviour, the findings of its investigation, or what prompted the Sport Australia complaint.
The night out came after Australia blew a two-goal lead to draw with South Korea in its final match of the tournament in March.
'Complex' investigation
The incident has only just come to light because it took months to investigate, due to its "complexity", the FFA told the ABC.
That inquiry delivered findings to the FFA board on October 3, which resulted in the show causes being issued.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-09/ ... a/11577578
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold speaks to the media:
https://video.news24.com/show/173179