An Australian soccer legend has slammed the decision to ban four players over an alleged incident with a Tinder date in Cambodia.
Lachlan Wales, Nathaniel Atkinson, Brandon Wilson and Riley McGree were suspended for ‘unprofessional conduct’ involving a woman in Phnom Penh.
The under-23 team were on a night out in the city at the end of March when the incident took place.
In April, a woman complained about the four players which lead to a lengthy Football Federation Australia investigation.
McGree has been banned from international duty until April 1 next year while Wales, Atkinson and Wilson were hit with longer bans through to August 10, meaning they can’t be selected for the Tokyo Olympics.
Ex-Socceroo Robbie Slater spoke on Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday calling the lengthy suspensions an ‘absolute disgrace’ saying it’s not fair on the young men.
Nathaniel Atkinson (left) , 20, has been banned until August while Riley McGree (right) is banned until April
Robbie Slater (right) spoke on Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday calling the lengthy suspensions an ‘absolute disgrace’ saying it’s not fair on the young men
‘I want to know, and the whole football fraternity should want to know, who has made this disgraceful decision to ban three players effectively for the Olympic Games if they qualify,’ Slater said.
‘I want to know who made this decision — apparently an independent committee. Why the hell you would need an independent committee for a start to investigate.
‘Put this into perspective — this happened back in March in Cambodia. The guys have broken curfew, they’re guilty of breaking curfew.
‘Every Socceroo in the history of Socceroos would have been banned if that was the case.
‘I feel so sorry for those kids, or young adults … that they’re going to miss an Olympic Games, if we qualify.’
Lachlan Wales (left), 22, and Brandon Wilson (right), 22 are banned from internationals until August
Slater was asked why the decision took so long and he blamed the investigation.
‘Well there you go. Why would it take so long?
‘Investigation…they broke curfew…so that means you get banned for months and months and months.
‘I mean spare me, give me a break, the guys have made a mistake they have done the wrong thing.
‘But geez the punishment fitting the crime I don’t think so and i don’t think anyone reasonable would think the same thing.’
‘I mean spare me, give me a break, the guys have made a mistake they have done the wrong thing’ (pictured: Robbie Slater)
According to reports, the players matched with a Cambodian woman on Tinder during the qualifying rounds of the AFC championship in March.
They offered her tickets to one of their games and hosted her at their hotel on their final night.
There is no suggestion of assault – but the woman was said to be upset that she had been left stranded in the hotel.
She then complained to the Australian Embassy that there may be videos or photos of her during the encounter.
She withdrew that complaint but the matter had already been referred to Sport Australia and the Football Federation Australia.
A seven-month investigation found that the players broke a curfew imposed by their coach Graham Arnold.
According to reports, the players matched with a Cambodian woman on Tinder during the qualifying rounds of the AFC championship in March (pictured: Riley McGree who is banned until April)
The FFA said the four players will have to participate in education courses and counselling as a result of the code of conduct breach.
‘These sanctions are commensurate to the nature of the breaches of the National Code of Conduct which is in place to safeguard both the players and the reputation of Australian football,’ FFA chairman Chris Nikou said in a statement.
‘Upholding our commitment to respect and responsibility cannot be compromised. Our game is built on equality, inclusivity and respect and these are values that we will continue to uphold.
‘The players have understood the gravity of their actions and have positively commenced respectful relationship programs that will ensure they appreciate these values in the future.’
The players can appeal FFA’s ruling to the independent FFA disciplinary and ethics committee.
The players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia, said it would provide support to all four players (pictured: Lachlan Wales who has been banned until August)
The players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia, said it would provide support to all four players.
‘The PFA has, and continues to, represent the players throughout this process and will work closely with each of them on their options, including appealing the sanctions imposed,’ the PFA said in a statement.
‘From the outset the players have accepted responsibility, undertaken respectful relationships counselling and at all times acted cooperatively with the FFA during the investigation.’
McGree has had a stellar start to his return to Adelaide United, scoring four goals in his first five A-League games but will now be ineligible for Socceroos consideration, including for World Cup qualifiers against Nepal and Kuwait in March, until his ban expires.
McGree, Atkinson, Wales and Wilson did not travel with the Olyroos to China on November 9 as sanctions were pending.