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"Go to hell snake": Brutal farewell to FA boss
SEN • May 9th, 2025 3:21 pm
Former Matildas star Lisa De Vanna has launched a scathing attack on outgoing Football Australia boss James Johnson after his bombshell resignation.
After more than five years at the helm, Johnson announced he would depart the role with immediate effect.
The news was welcomed by De Vanna, a long-time critic of Johnson and the FA after she went public with allegations of sex sexual harassment in 2021.
“Good bye snake what took you so long?” De Vanna said on social media after Johnson’s departure was confirmed.
“Hope you go to hell. No one should have gone through the darkness you put me through, but I survived, think this is over?
“This chapter is far from over.”
In 2021 De Vanna, who scored 47 goals for the Matildas, alleged that she was bullied, sexually harassed and ostracised on a number of occasions during her career dating back to 2001 when she was playing with the Young Matildas.
De Vanna’s former teammate and W-League star Rhali Dobson also made similar allegations.
“Have I been sexually harassed? Yes,” she told News Corp in 2021. “Have I been bullied? Yes. Ostracised? Yes. Have I seen things that have made me uncomfortable? Yes.
“In any sporting organisation and in any environment, grooming, preying and unprofessional behaviour makes me sick.
“As a youngster and a player I didn’t know how to address this ... but it is still happening across all levels and it’s time to speak up.”
At the time, Johnson announced a joint partnership with Sport Integrity Australia to manage such complaints and allegations.
The FA denied any knowledge of the alleged abuse at the time and said it was committed to the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the game.
Johnson will be replaced by former Matilda Heather Garriock.
