The complaints handling process announced by Sport Integrity Australia and Football Australia is an opportunity for the football community to re-set culture
The first thing to say about the “independent complaints handling process” announced yesterday by Sport Integrity Australia and Football Australia is that it's time for the football community to speak up or shut up.
This should be embraced as an opportunity for football to draw a line in the sand.
If the football community doesn't take advantage of this opportunity, then they need to stop the whispering campaigns, the rumour-mongering, the speculation, and the social media gossip from anonymous accounts (including the anonymous accounts who actively mislead by hinting at being someone else).
Sport Integrity Australia is made up of people who know what they're doing with such complaints. It is headed by a former Assistant Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (or AFP) and, at the executive level at least, is comprised of people with similar skill sets.
Importantly, in the documentation associated with the independent complaints process, Sport Integrity Australia notes that if the complaint or report involves conduct that might be a criminal offence, they can and may refer it to a law enforcement agency.
So while this isn't a judicial inquiry or a Royal Commission as some have mentioned as their preferred course of action, in practical terms it's as good as it's going to get at this time.
The shortcomings
Having said that, there are some matters that can and should be addressed.
Timeframe to lodge a submission
For a start, the timeframe for people to contribute a complaint should be extended beyond three months (commencing 1 November), particularly as those three months include the Christmas/New Year period.
For those who have been the victim of abuse or trauma, to come forward is a big step. To say that people now have three months to do so after, perhaps, decades of keeping it to themselves, is insensitive and unreasonable.
If the experience of recent Royal Commissions, such as the Disability Royal Commission, show us anything, it is that people affected need to feel confident that those managing the process and assessing the complaints - in this case, Sport Integrity Australia - are serious and dealing with the issues with discretion, integrity and sensitivity. The more time that is available, the more those who take the first steps and who see their complaint addressed, will gain confidence which may, in turn, encourage others to come forward also.
People for whom English is not a first language
Although Sport Integrity Australia provides a telephone number for those who have difficulty accessing or completing the online form from a technical perspective, there appears to be no specific provision made for those whose first language is not English.
The documentation put together by both Sport Integrity Australia or Football Australia to support the complaints framework is extensive and, in some instances, contains technical language and the process may be better served with documentation being available in other community languages.
What the complaints management framework is NOT
Sport Integrity Australia state clearly in its explanatory memorandum that:
“This process is focused on the investigation and resolution of individual complaints and is not designed to be a broad review of the culture or governance of football.”
(It would be helpful if mainstream media understood this point).
The risk, therefore, with what has been introduced is complaints may be dealt with – which is encouraging and welcome – but the cultural or governance of issues that have allowed us to get to this point are not addressed.
To illustrate:
In terms of culture, a prominent former Matilda who is gay said in relation to some of the matters that have been reported that being in the Matildas is “one of the things that made me feel safe”.
For players of a certain age, in particular, that is understandable. Being gay is not something that has historically been widely accepted by the Australian community – and in some parts of the country, still isn’t – so being part of a sporting team where there are other gay people would generate a sense of comfort and safety, and provide a respite from discrimination they have no doubt experienced.
It's terrific that football is a place where gay people can be themselves.
As a woman of non-English speaking background who has experienced discrimination more broadly also, including in employment, I understand just how good football can be in that regard.
The point is, however, that everyone should feel comfortable and safe in the same environment and if we are to take note of what Lisa De Vanna has said and written over recent weeks, she didn’t back in 2001 and she has stated that what she “went through is still happening”.
Just as the women who are gay in the Matildas – and elsewhere in football – find a comfortable and safe place in football, others should also.
The fact is, we know from De Vanna that not everyone does. From what we’ve read in News Limited media in recent weeks, she is not the only one; and because of the media reports, I am aware that journalists and others have been inundated with other, similar instances.
Football is not an exclusive club.
There should be room for everyone to be who they are and want to be, without the type of actions De Vanna and others have spoken about, and of which rumours abound.
In terms of governance, on 21 October 2021, News Limited sites reported on a female coach who had been terminated from her role as a coach in the Football NSW Academy two years ago for allegedly sending nude images of herself to an under-age player in her squad.
The matter was brought to the attention of FNSW in 2019 and while no charges were laid, FNSW’s own investigation determined that her employment should cease.
According to Football Australia sources, the first they knew of this situation was when Football NSW contacted them late on the same day of the report which, if so, is an appalling lack of judgement from Football NSW.
However, more egregious than not informing FA is that parents of other young players in the same Academy program were not informed of these events until early morning on 22 October. The view from parents who spoke to me was that they should have been informed when it first occurred – more than two years ago – so they could talk to their daughters about the situation and to be assured that similar actions had not impacted them.
I also understand the coach may still be playing in the NSW NPL competition with teammates who include under-age girls.
This is not only a lack of good governance by Football NSW but indicative of the culture of football that the preference is always to keep things quiet, not tell anyone, and hopefully it will all go away. That’s acceptable – maybe – when there are only two adult parties involved; it is irresponsible - and potentially dangerous - when those who might also be impacted include under-age children.
Cultural change
According to documentation from Sport Integrity Australia, their processes might result in sanctions that include a reprimand or warning, counselling, an apology, suspension, a ban or, if relevant, criminal prosecution.
But will this change things or will others just fill vacant boots?
The challenge remains for football to address the culture that has allowed our sport to get to this point – not merely the Matildas, not just FA, not just the moribund state federations (who, by the way, have said absolutely zero about any of this even with women now at the helm of three state federations) but the sport.
Management textbooks would say culture starts at the top, and that’s true.
But in the case of our sport, it also starts with all of us involved in the game in whatever capacity. In our club, in our team, in our community.
Some people say that they won’t or can’t say anything, because their daughter or son will face the consequences – for example, intimidation or non-selection in a team.
Some people say if they speak up about what they know, they will no longer receive invitations to VIP events at international or domestic matches.
Some people send an email stating that they couldn’t complain about something they believe happened, because the person who was being complained about was the person they had to complain to. When asked to share that story with a third party, they decline to do so.
Some people say they won’t speak out against social media trolls and bullies, because the person (or persons) behind such accounts will then turn on them, rather than those they currently bully and abuse.
Some people relate things that happened to them to their closest confidants, but don’t want to share it further so they don’t upset their partner and children.
All of these real situations are up for individuals to decide what is more important to them: truth and, hopefully, reconciliation and the future of our game - or personal circumstances?
If ever we’re going to make football a safe, happy and comfortable place for everyone, the Sport Integrity Australia complaints management framework is the place to start.
If we don’t avail ourselves of this opportunity, the issues will fester, the trolls will keep trolling, the rumours will keep circulating, the ‘if you knew what I knew’ talk will continue, nothing will change - and in another 20 years, we'll hear something along the same lines as we've heard from Lisa De Vanna.
Cultural change starts with us. It’s up to all of us to make this opportunity result in something worthwhile … for the love of football.
Resources
Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy (Football Australia)
Note: Sport Integrity Australia has stated that you can have a friend, family member or other support person with you throughout the process (for example, they can be present during any interviews). Mental health and wellbeing support will also be available.