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 By Ollie Lewis Published: 09:40, 2 July 2024 | Updated: 09:40, 2 July 2024 e-mail View comments 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 .