NZ Football apologises for Martin’s comments
WELLINGTON: New Zealand Football has apologised for comments made by chief executive Andy Martin in the days before his shock resignation.
Speaking to media on June 20, the day an investigation was announced into the Football Ferns’ environment under coach Andreas Heraf, Martin referred to ‘‘per formance management issues’’ concerning a former staff member on the national women’s team.
Yesterday New Zealand Football (NZF) issued a public apology to the former staff member for those comments.
‘‘This statement was factually totally incorrect,’’ a statement on the NZF website said.
‘‘There were no performance management issues as they relate to this former New Zealand Football staff member. Quite the opposite.
‘‘New Zealand Football are pleased to take this opportunity to apologise to the former New Zealand staff member for making such a statement.’’
Martin’s comments came in response to a question about the staff member raising concerns about the Football Ferns’ environment after their tour to Spain in March.
‘‘There was no mention in that [tour] report at all around the need for a review,’’ he said.
‘‘Subsequently, through a member of staff’s exit review, there was a mention in that exit interview [that] they were uncomfortable with the culture that was happening on tour but that was wrapped up in performance management issues around the individual so it’s difficult to comment further on that one.’’
Martin resigned on Friday last week, just 10 days after the national body confirmed it had received 13 official player complaints about the environment that had developed within the Football Ferns.
The complaints are believed to contain allegations of bullying, intimidation and general unprofessionalism from Heraf, who is also the technical director at NZF.
Heraf has been placed on special leave from both roles until the investigation has been completed.
An announcement on the person conducting the review and its terms of reference was expected later yesterday.