One of the two key reports that contributed to the sacking of Matildas coach Alen Stajcic reveals a culture of fear and unacceptable levels of stress among the players.

Key points: The full Our Watch report is expected to be delivered to FFA headquarters this week

The full Our Watch report is expected to be delivered to FFA headquarters this week There is no suggestion of sexual or physical impropriety from the surveys

There is no suggestion of sexual or physical impropriety from the surveys FFA CEO David Gallop said the surprise sacking of Stajcic was not based solely on the surveys

A quarter of the players who responded reported feeling psychological distress and many were afraid to seek support, believing it would be held against them.

Players were asked a series of questions under specific headings including Health & Wellbeing, Psychological Distress, Psychological Safety and Player Insights.

Fewer than 20 per cent of them said they felt the team environment was conducive to making them better players or people.

The Matildas Wellbeing Audit was conducted jointly by Football Federation Australia and the players' union, the PFA, to ensure players had "access to world class support" to be able to perform at their best at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

The results, distributed to coaching staff and other key people in December, were to be discussed with players and officials in Sydney this week at a planned leadership conference.

Alen Stajcic was supposed to be at the conference but soccer bosses felt they could no longer risk keeping him as coach.

Stajcic's position became untenable after the FFA received the first instalment of a report by Our Watch — a group tasked to change cultural behaviour that underpins violence against women.

By working with organisations to change entrenched attitudes to women, Our Watch hopes to positively impact the wider community.

Sorry, this video has expired Matildas' coach sacked five months out from World Cup

FFA criticised for not knowing cultural issues, acting too swiftly

While there is no suggestion of any sexual or physical impropriety in this case, the ABC understands the Our Watch report highlights a culturally unsustainable environment.

The ABC has spoken extensively to parties involved in this case and has seen the Matildas Wellbeing Audit.

FFA CEO David Gallop met with the Matildas on Monday to answer their concerns over the surprise axing of their coach.

The governing body has been criticised in some circles for not knowing of the cultural issues, and criticised in others for acting too swiftly in cutting the head coach.

"It's a misconception that the decision in relation to the head coach was solely based on surveys, it was based on a range of reasons and a range of information," Mr Gallop said.

"These matters are accumulative and there was a real view that things had deteriorated over a period of time … and that's why the decision was taken."

Mr Gallop confirmed work on the Wellbeing Audit began in August 2018, looking specifically at the needs of Matildas players.

There may be further fallout after the full Our Watch report is delivered to FFA headquarters. ( AAP Image: Julian Smith )

The Our Watch survey was federation wide — players, coaches, and FFA staff. It is believed there were around 140 completed responses.

While not directly addressing the work being done with the FFA, the CEO of Our Watch told ABC Newsradio the organisation's mandate is to stop violence before it happens.

"We work collaboratively … to help other people change the cultures, norms and practices that disrespect or devalue women," Patty Kinnersly said.

"Of course there are people who are resistant but not people we are working with.

"People we are working with say, 'I understand this is an issue, I understand that I have influence', whether it's as a parent, or a coach, or a CEO, 'can you help me understand how I do that?'"

Our Watch is currently reviewing the culture of a number of sporting organisations and Ms Kinnersly said sporting bodies were no different to any other.

"What we find is whether it's a school, or a workplace or a sporting organisation, that they are representative of the community."

'Hardening up' is not the answer

Leadership expert Nicki Bowman, who is also a member of football advocacy group Women Onside, said leadership in the corporate world had changed in Australia while sport was slowly catching up.

"What you need are leaders who create conditions for people to do their best work and whether that's in a corporate context or a sporting context it means the same thing," she said.

"It means creating an environment where people are secure enough to perform at their best.

"I'm really frustrated with the views around social media that people just need to harden up, you know this is elite sport and they just need to harden up and suck it up."

Alen Stajcic had overseen the development of the squad in close to two decades working in women's football. ( AAP: Brendan Esposito )

Ms Bowman said most of the Matildas entered the program as teenagers with limited experience and ability to deal with stressful situations

"Things you say to people at that age are far more formative and influential than they are if you said them to you or me with 20 or 30 years of experience," she said.

The ABC contacted Stajcic on numerous occasions but was told he was unable to comment. It is understood to be for legal reasons.

It is expected the full Our Watch report will be delivered to the FFA headquarters this week.

The ABC understands there may be further fallout.