Andreas Heraf's team lost 3-1 to Japan on June 10.GETTY IMAGES
Recent rumors of a "massive split" inside the New Zealand national women's team camp are "100 per cent true," according to Michael Burgess of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. Despite New Zealand Football's "claims to the contrary, major issues have developed between the players and coach Andreas Heraf," with significant concerns around "the culture and environment." At least a "staggering" 10 players in the squad have reportedly "written formal letters of complaint about Heraf's conduct." One or two "would be enough to raise eyebrows -- and serious doubts -- but that number represents at least half the squad." The players' correspondence "is believed to be related to incidents from the recent week in camp for the clash with Japan in Wellington" and also the tour of Spain in March, when New Zealand faced Scotland in two friendly matches. When responding to the fallout from the 3-1 loss to Japan on June 10 and Heraf's "controversial post-game statements," NZF CEO Andy Martin, while admitting some of Heraf's comments were "strange," endorsed the Austrian as "the right man for the job." Martin "also seemed to dismiss any possibility of wider issues or problems," saying, "Let's keep things in context -- we lost a game of football" (NZ HERALD, 6/19). Burgess also reported the NZF board "has already met once to discuss the fallout" from the game against Japan in what has been described as a "fiery discussion." It is understood a report was submitted by an NZF staff member to Martin at "the end of the Ferns' tour to Spain this year." That staff member, who was on the tour, "outlined concerns over the team environment and culture under Heraf." It is believed the report's recommendations "have yet to be acted on." The report "has also yet to be formally presented to the NZF board" (NZ HERALD, 6/17).
