Football Federation Australia board member Heather Reid is understood to have temporarily stood down as the fallout from the sacking of Matildas coach Alen Stajcic continues.
The administrator asked to be relieved of her position, citing personal reasons, with an announcement expected as early as Wednesday after the FFA board met on Tuesday night, The Australian reports.
Reid, who was elected to the post just over two months ago, recently denied she led a co-ordinated push to have Australia’s national women’s team boss Stajcic fired, telling the Sydney Morning Herald people “would be shocked” if they “knew the actual facts”.
The FFA has released a statement that contradicts any implication the move is related to Stajcic’s sacking, however.
“The directors of Football Federation Australia (FFA) today granted a request from fellow director, Heather Reid, for approval of an indefinite leave of absence from the Board,” read the statement released on Wednesday.
“The request is to enable Ms Reid to give full focus to her health and well-being following the requirement, after her election to the Board in November, to undergo chemotherapy treatment for a medical condition.
“In the circumstances, Heather has requested that the Members of FFA and the football community understand her decision to step aside and respect her and her family’s privacy at this challenging time.
“Speaking on behalf of FFA, Chairman Chris Nikou extended FFA’s best wishes to Ms Reid “Our thoughts are with Heather and her family and we wish her a full and speedy recovery” he said.
With AAP
oldpsyco
Guest
Heather Reid cannot come back.... her position is untenable! Her grubby fingers are all over the Stajcic affair and her actions have been vindictive and unprofessional. There can be no place for her in Australian football as she has lost the trust of the fans! Sad... but true . Move on!
chris
Guest
They don't come much more personal than cancer
Ben
Roar Guru
Yep, because he wants a male a male to replace her if she doesn't come back, that must mean he "doesn't like women"... Wow. Smh.
Josh
Guest
In other words, you don’t like women and want more men on the Board. For the record, I expect Foster would have been even stronger on issues of cultural change and ensuring the most appropriate environment for the players. But maybe as a man you’d be more willing to accept his position?
Kris
Roar Rookie
That's awful news and I wish her all the best in her recovery. Having said that, she's been an awful appointment and her short tenure has been filled with scandal and incompetence. She should not return to her position.
Nemesis
Guest
Yes, she's having chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Is that good enough detail?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Good old "personal reasons".
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I meant exactly what I wrote. I didn't say the outcome would have been different. But maybe the dynamics around the board table might have been different which may have led to a different approach to the issue. Maybe we would have had greater transparency?
Nemesis
Guest
What do you mean Foster wouldn't have "stood for the BS and turmoil that has been generated by the Alen Stajcic fiacso"? Do you appreciate there are 6 FFA Board members. It's not a dictatorship. And, the Stajcic dismissal was unanimous - all 6 Board Members voted that way. If Foster were on the Board and if he decided the facts did not require dismissal then the vote would've been 5 to Dismiss 1 to Not Dismiss. And we'd be exactly where we are today.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Hope the treatment goes well. Looking ahead, and if Heather needs an extended period of absence, I think her seat on the board should be taken up by another person, if that becomes possible. I hereby nominate Craig Foster to be that person even though I didn't think I'd find myself saying this! He wouldn't have stood for the BS and turmoil that has been generated by the Alen Stajcic fiacso.