Matildas at war as FIFTEEN players are wiped from the history books in shocking row
- A huge row has emerged among Matildas alumni
- A 1975 team has been recognised as the first Australian women's team
- But the 1979 team has fumed at the decision made by Football Australia
A huge row has erupted among Matildas alumni after 15 former players were wiped from the record books this week.
On Monday, Football Australia announced it had revised its record books to confirm that a team from 1975 will now be viewed as the first even Australian national women's football team.
That decision has ruffled feathers among former Matildas players, causing fractures among an already hostile group of stars.
Julie Dolan has led the backlash against the decision, having previously been acknowledged as the first Matildas captain.
She led the Australian national women's football team against New Zealand in 1979, which was formerly viewed as the first Matildas match, but is now no longer recognised as a moment of history.
The U-turn from Football Australia also means the 15 members of the original team of 1979 have been erased from the record books.
The team of 1975 has now been formerly recognised and all players in that squad will be given the title of Matilda No. 0.
Dolan will remain the No. 1 capped Matilda but, having also played a part in the 1975 team, she will also be viewed as Matilda No. 0.
A team of 15 Matildas have been wiped from the record books by Football Australia
The 1975 team that toured Hong Kong have now been recognised as the first Australian women's team, meaning the 1979 team no longer hold that title
The 1975 cohort was not previously recognised because most of the players were members of the same Sydney surburban club - 1975 St George Budapest - and no national selection process was undertaken.
But the team represented Australia at an international tournament in Asia against New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore in Hong Kong.
That tournament has now also been labelled the first-ever women's Asian Cup.
But Dolan does not take the same view as Football Australia, despite being on the same tour.
'I want to stress that there were no trials and women from interstate clubs, or any club for that matter, were not invited to try out for this tournament,' Dolan said in a statement.
'To hear that FA are now recognising this club team as the 'first Matildas' makes a mockery of the selection process for a national team and is nothing short of farcical.'
Dolan added that she will reject Football Australia's offer to be recognised as one of the 16 'zero-capped' players.
FA, who rejected the 1975 team's case last year, are yet to explain the reason behind their change of heart.
Julie Dolan, who captained the 1979 team but was also part of the 1975 squad, has expressed her anger at the decision
Pat O'Connor captained the 1975 team and has fought for her squad to win national team status.
According to the ABC, O'Connor was captain of the St George Budapest team and was the secretary of the Australian Women's Soccer Association at the time and received direct contact from international football officials about an Australian team's involvement in the Hong Kong competition.
'This acknowledgment and recognition as the 'first Matildas' not only celebrate our efforts and dedication but also cements our place in Australian football history as the pioneers of the women's game,' O'Connor said.
'It is a moment of immense pride for all of us, and I am grateful for the recognition of our contributions to the sport we love.'
