"I apologise unreservedly for the damage, distress and hurt that I have caused to Alen Stajcic as a professional football coach and long-time servant to, and advocate for, Australian and women’s football. I understand that my conduct in making public and private statements may have caused serious damage to Mr Stajcic’s reputation, both in Australia and internationally," Reid said in a statement. "I also, at around this time, sent personal communications to a number of people including various members of the media, in which I suggested that, if the whole truth could be told, Mr Stajcic would never work again in women’s football. "I understand also that these communications ended up in the hands of other journalists who have used my words to compound the speculation and innuendo as to the reason why Mr Stajcic’s employment was terminated. "I withdraw my statements entirely and unconditionally. Mr Stajcic’s contract was terminated by FFA, by a decision of the FFA board, of which I am a member. FFA elected to terminate Mr Stajcic’s employment contract by it making a payment in lieu of notice. "Mr Stajcic’s contract was not terminated by FFA for breach of contract by Mr Stajcic, or because of any misconduct on Mr Stajcic’s part. I accept that I was wrong to imply otherwise."

Loading Earlier, FFA reiterated Stajcic's contract was terminated with a payment and not sacked for any breach of his contract. "Alen’s contract was terminated by FFA exercising its contractual right of termination by making a pre-agreed payment in lieu of notice. FFA’s decision to do this was reached simply because its Board formed the view, following a process undertaken by management, that the Matildas would benefit from a new coach for the FIFA World Cup in France," the FFA statement read. "FFA acknowledges that some of the speculation about the termination of Alen’s contract was caused by statements made by one of its directors, Heather Reid. "These statements were not made on behalf of FFA and did not reflect the decision of the Board or the reasons why it made that decision. Heather has withdrawn those comments and issued an apology to Alen for having made them."

Stajcic had been in talks for months with FFA over the manner of his termination, with lawyers discussing the ramifications of the way he was dismissed as Matildas coach. Aside from one high-profile press conference, the now Central Coast Mariners boss remained silent on the issue while the legal discussions took place. He refused to discuss the Reid statement or the matter in general on Friday, saying he was now focused on rebuilding his career in the men's game after the ''hurtful'' and damaging period at the start of this year. ''I am trying to look forward and focus on what is now my career as coach of Central Coast Mariners. I can't really speak about it [the Matildas dismissal] and I want to concentrate on building up the squad, signing players and making the Mariners a competitive team next A-League season,'' Stajcic said. Stajcic was replaced by ex-Socceroos assistant coach Ante Milicic as Matildas coach, with the Women's World Cup beginning next week.