Embattled Martin calls time amid period of tumult

Andy Martin told staff of his decision to quit as New Zealand Football chief executive yesterday morning with NZF confirming the news later that day, saying he was ‘‘retiring’’ at the end of the month.

That is today and Martin is no older than 51.

‘‘It is time to focus on my wife and family and follow my beloved Liverpool FC more intently,’’ he said in a press release, while noting it was time to ‘‘hang up his boots’’.

‘‘I would like to thank the staff of New Zealand Football who have worked tirelessly over the past four years to deliver some outstanding achievements, under sometimes trying circumstances. Football in New Zealand is in good health because of them and they remain undeterred to do a good job for the sport they love.’’

Martin has been under pressure for his handling of the complaints around Football Ferns coach Andreas Heraf, who was the subject of letters of complaint from 13 of his players on June 18. NZF announced last week an independent investigator would review the Ferns environment, with Heraf placed on ‘‘special leave’’ as both Ferns coach and NZF technical director.

The investigator is yet to be appointed and it appears Martin has fallen on his sword ahead of that review taking place.

Questions around Martin’s handling of the Ferns issue came about when he took four days to front to media following Heraf’s controversial comments in the wake of the Ferns’ 1-0 loss to Japan on June 10.

When he did front, he said there were no major concerns in the Ferns camp.

Martin’s departure would make it very difficult for Heraf to continue at NZF, given Martin was the one who hired him. It would also call into question Heraf’s hires in his capacity as technical director, most notably All Whites coach Fritz Schmid.

NZF president Deryck Shaw thanked Martin for his work at NZF since he began as chief executive in February, 2014.

Martin oversaw some notable administrative bungles in his time, including the eligibility saga which saw New Zealand’s men’s team miss out on a spot at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the failure of his staff to put through the Wellington Phoenix’s loan move for Alex Jones in February, 2016.