Ferns to get an apology
Representatives from New Zealand Football will apologise in person to the Football Ferns when the team gathers in Auckland this month.
The face-to-face apology follows a written one made last month when lawyer Phillipa Muir’s review into NZ Football’s conduct and culture was released. Muir found former Ferns coach Andreas Heraf had engaged in ‘‘bullying behaviour’’ while in charge of the team and that complaints from 12 players and a staff member about him ‘‘were genuine and are largely substantiated’’.
The apology is set for November 13, the second day the Ferns will be in camp ahead of the Oceania Women’s Nations Cup.
NZ Football’s interim chief executive Andrew Pragnell said details of the apology were still being figured out in conjunction with the Professional Footballers Association [PFA].
‘‘We’re talking with the PFA right now as to how it can work in the best possible way and what the players require. It’s a bit of a live conversation at the moment, but whoever’s available and required [will take part].’’
What’s known for sure is that Heraf won’t be involved, nor will former chief executive Andy Martin, who resigned at the end of June, with the terms of his departure limiting what Muir could subsequently say about him.
Former president Deryck Shaw, who resigned last month, won’t be involved either ‘‘at this stage,’’ Pragnell said.
The face-to-face apology is one of a series of actions NZ Football is taking as it seeks to implement the 22 recommendations of the Muir review.
The governing body announced last week that an action plan was underway and has since published it online.
It contains 27 distinct steps, two of which have been completed – involving the PFA in the hiring process for the new Football Ferns coach, Scotsman Tom Sermanni, and taking no further action with regard to Heraf, seeing as he resigned in July.
Ten actions are listed as underway or ongoing, with 15 others yet to start.
Meanwhile, the process of finding a permanent chief executive to replace Martin has begun. New president Philip Barry said ‘‘while we will not be rushing the process, the ExCo is progressing it as a matter of priority’’.