Football Australia (FA) is calling on former players to make formal complaints after former Matildas striker Lisa De Vanna rocked the sport with historical claims of sexual abuse.
De Vanna and former teammate Rhali Dobson are the latest top Australian sportswomen to go public with allegations of a toxic culture while they were competing.
A Swimming Australia investigation is ongoing into allegations of an abusive culture in the sport while women's hockey and gymnastics in Australia have also probed similar claims.
De Vanna has alleged she suffered sexual harassment, abuse and bullying during her decorated 150-game international career with the Matildas.
Australia's second-highest goalscorer in senior internationals, De Vanna says the incidents date back to 2001 when she joined the Young Matildas squad as a 17-year-old.
FA, in a statement on Wednesday, said it had met with De Vanna "and heard her grievances".
Australia's Lisa De Vanna, right, during the Women's World Cup in 2019. Source: AP
"The specific allegations made public were not raised with us in that meeting," FA said.
"In the event that Lisa chooses to lodge a formal complaint through the appropriate channels, we will be in a position to investigate and, if appropriate, act accordingly.
"We encourage anyone to bring forward their concerns through Football Australia's formal complaints process ... any such matter will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
"The same process is open to Rhali Dobson and other former players and staff to formally bring forward any claims."
W-League stalwart Dobson has also alleged she was a target of sexual harassment in her career.
Lisa De Vanna playing for Sydney FC in 2019 Source: AAP
Australia's soccer players' union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), said it was "deeply concerned" at the claims.
"We recognise that the decision to speak publicly would not have been made lightly," the PFA's co-chief executives Beau Busch and Kathryn Gill said in a statement.
"It is critical that the sport provides a safe and inclusive workplace and, importantly, the players are supported to come forward."
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual abuse, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
