Professional Footballers Australia says it is looking into allegations A-League club Central Coast Mariners have asked players to hand in their phone records.
Club management is reportedly behind the request as the Mariners seek to find the source of a series of damaging dressing room leaks – including tactical information which has found its way to opposition teams on game day.
“Professional Footballers Australia have been made aware of a request made by the Central Coast Mariners,” a PFA spokesperson said.
“The PFA’s lawyers are currently working with the club to understand the nature of their request.”
It is the latest controversy to hit the struggling Mariners, who recently severed ties with experienced defender Eddy Bosnar and are still trying to agree to terms on a release for banished goalkeeper Liam Reddy.
The club is yet to respond to requests for comment.
Central Coast are currently eighth on the A-League ladder with just one win in six rounds and face champions Melbourne Victory on Thursday night.
Central Coast Mariners Club Statement
The Central Coast Mariners can confirm that there is an ongoing internal inquiry into the release of confidential information. The information released is highly sensitive and could have a potential impact to the integrity of the Hyundai A-League.As part of that inquiry coaching staff, administration staff and players were asked to voluntarily provide phone records relating to the timing of when the information was released. The Club would also like to deny media speculation that players’ phones have been confiscated as it has been nothing more than a voluntary request in the interest of resolving the matter.
Majority of the coaching staff, administration staff and players have co-operated and cleared themselves from the inquiry.
The Club immediately provided all available information to Football Federation Australia (FFA) and had lodged a formal complaint to football’s governing body. The Central Coast Mariners are still awaiting an update from FFA on the matter.
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Tony Walmsley provided the following insight:
“We trust our players implicitly and the fight back against Wellington Phoenix and the performance by 10 men against the Newcastle Jets demonstrates how quickly the belief is growing,” Walmsley said.
The staff and players are in great spirits and we are looking forward to taking on the Champions on Thursday with a lot of positive intent,” Walmsley said.
The Club will make no further comment.
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