Former Matildas label new Football Australia membership program a 'silencing mechanism'

Football Australia has been accused of trying to silence pioneering Matildas by launching a membership program that limits criticism of the sport's governing body.

On the eve of Australia hosting the Women's Asian Cup, Football Australia is facing stiff opposition from the team's trailblazers over the introduction of "Matildas FC".

The platform provides former players with complimentary tickets.

Ex-players had previously received complimentary tickets for internationals with no need to sign up to any platform.

But the program's rollout has angered ex-Matildas because they feel its code of conduct effectively gags former greats from criticising the sport's governing body.

Matildas Alumni, which represents former national team players, has raised concerns with the rules they must agree to in order to become members of Matildas FC and access complimentary tickets.

"The imposed code of conduct attached to the platform functions as a silencing mechanism, restricting Alumni from expressing views that may be critical of FA," a Matildas Alumni spokesperson said in a statement.

Matildas FC's code of conduct says members must "refrain from making public comments and/or statements that bring or may bring Football Australia" into disrepute.

The code of conduct adds that failure to comply "may result in forfeiture of benefits or revocation of membership".

In a statement to AAP, Football Australia said its code of conduct "sets out basic expectations" for members.

"The code of conduct operates in the same way as the terms and conditions of any membership program," a Football Australia spokesperson said.

"It sets out the basic expectations that accompany the benefits of Matildas FC and Socceroos FC membership.

"This is a standard feature of membership programs, and there are channels available for raising concerns or providing feedback directly to Football Australia."

Adding to the concerns of former national team players is the fact Matildas FC only caters for more than 200 "A" internationals — excluding a large number of players who wore green and gold and won "B" caps.

Thirty-four players, who were nationally selected, received B caps for playing in international games for Australia between 1978 and 2004.

The achievements of B cap internationals were retrospectively recognised by Football Australia in 2022, and those players have regularly received complimentary tickets from the sport's governing body.

However, B internationals are not invited to join Matildas FC, leaving many players — most of whom have already booked accommodation and flights to attend group games — without tickets.

Matildas Alumni says B internationals only learned of the decision to revoke their privileges in the last month, despite being given assurances in July last year by Asian Cup organisers that they would be afforded the same treatment as fellow A internationals.

"For almost 50 years, these women have stood as pioneers of the Matildas — they represented Australia with pride at a time when there was no pay, little recognition, and minimal institutional support," the Matildas Alumni spokesperson added.

"They built the foundations of the national team through sacrifice and resilience.

"To now exclude them from receiving complimentary tickets for a home tournament, after years in which Alumni were provided access to Matildas matches on Australian soil, is not merely inconsistent — it is profoundly disrespectful."

Football Australia confirmed only A internationals were invited to be a part of Matildas FC, but would not confirm when B internationals were informed they would not have access to complimentary tickets.

"The Matildas FC and Socceroos FC membership program is available to players who are defined as Matildas and Socceroos. This status only applies to players who have played in 'A' Internationals," a Football Australia spokesperson said.

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