Matildas legend unleashes explosive allegations about culture in Australian women’s soccer

Australian women’s soccer has been rocked by explosive allegations of sexual abuse, bullying and grooming within the ‘toxic’ culture of the sport.  

Recently retired Matildas great Lisa De Vanna has opened up about shocking alleged incidents she experienced during her career which go back two decades.

Bombshell accusations include allegedly being pulled down from behind and dry-humped.

De Vanna alleged she was also asked by two other girls to join them in the shower and rub soap over each another in a separate alleged incident.

Football Australia has confirmed it recently met with De Vanna and has engaged with Sports Integrity Australia to launch an independent investigation into historical allegations of former players and staff.

A recent alleged incident involving a current professional player within the national system prompted De Vanna, 36, to speak out.

The two-time Olympian called for consequences and accountability in the sport, alleging she had been sexually harassed, bullied and ostracised during her career.

In one harrowing alleged experience, she claims she was pulled down from behind and dry-humped by several people before she fought them off ‘kicking and screaming’.

‘I was just a young kid from Perth, I didn’t know any different. I lost my s*** and wanted to punch them,’ De Vanna told NewsCorp.  

Her accusations were backed by someone who claimed she witnessed the alleged incident.

Lisa De Vanna played 150 games for the Matildas during her career before her recent retirement

De Vanna also claimed she was asked to join two girls in the shower rubbing soap on each other in another alleged incident.

She told the girls to f*** off, who laughed and said ‘you know you want to join us’.

De Vanna is now speaking out and hopes other former players will follow her lead.

‘I have seen cultural problems at all levels throughout the years – from men and women – and girls coming through need to be brave, and also the girls that have been through this also need to be brave and know they are not alone,’ she said.

‘As a youngster and a player I didn’t know how to address this… but it is still happening across all levels and it’s time to speak up.’ 

A Football Australia spokesman confirmed the national body has met with De Vanna and is engaged with Sports Integrity Australia to develop a process for ‘independently investigating historical issues, specifically for former players and staff’.

The Matildas veteran (pictured on vacation) alleged she was sexually harassed, bullied and ostracised during her career

Lisa De Vanna broke her silence on the weekend when she responded to a tweet by US soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe

De Vanna broke her silence on the weekend when she responded to a tweet by US superstar Megan Rapinoe who weighed in sexual allegations in America’s national women’s league by claiming men were protecting men abusing women.

The star agreed but went one step further by alleging she’d witnessed horrific incidents. 

‘Women protecting women who abuse women,’ she tweeted.

‘Players protecting senior players who abuse younger players. Organisations protecting ‘coaches/players’ who abuse players. 

‘Abuse is abuse. Poor behaviour is poor across all boards!’

De Vanna played 150 games and scored 47 goals for the Matildas over 15 years before her recent shock omission from the national squad for the Tokyo Olympics.

The veteran previously competed at the 2004 and 2016 Olympics and is the Matildas’ second highest goal scorer behind current captain Sam Kerr.

De Vanna, who won five W-League championships with four different clubs announced her retirement in September.

Lisa De Vanna alleged she was being pulled down from behind and dry-humped by in one alleged incident