ERCEG LASHES OUT

WELLINGTON: New Zealand women’s captain Abby Erceg has launched a broadside at New Zealand Football while announcing her retirement from the international game.

Central defender Erceg says the Football Ferns are not valued, nor adequately supported by the national body, prompting her retirement at the age of 27 as an act of protest.

United Statesbased Erceg made her New Zealand debut in 2006 and was named skipper in 2014. She has played 129 internationals and competed at three World Cups.

The side’s annual High Performance Sport New Zealand grant was reduced by $300,000 in December after it failed to progress from the group stage at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

She said the players already struggled to maintain high standards with minimal financial assistance from NZF.

‘‘Due to the unfortunate and unfavourable circumstances within the organisation that is NZF, it is with regret and great sadness that today is the day that I announce my retirement from the international game,’’ Erceg wrote on a social media account.

‘‘Without being able to justify my involvement any longer, I will be stepping back in the hopes to create change for the current and future generations of NZ footballers.

‘‘I have encountered many personal successes within the international environment and it is sad that this is what’s required to adopt change.’’

Erceg will end her career at the 12team invitational Cyprus Cup tournament early March next month.

She will continue playing in

the US National Women’s Soccer League for the champion Western New York Flash, which has been rebranded as the North Carolina Courage.

‘‘Time to move on to places where female footballers are appreciated, respected and endorsed.

‘‘I hope that NZF one day has this philosophy.’’ — NZN