Football: Socceroos boss sorry for sexist gaffe

Australia coach Holger Osieck apologised Wednesday after being caught on camera making a sexist remark that “women should shut up in public”.

The German made the comment as he prepared to face the media after Australia beat Jordan 4-0 in Melbourne on Tuesday evening to move within one win of making the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

As he was being seated in the press conference room, he could be heard saying lightheartedly to an official: “You want to sit here. You push me around like my wife.”

He added: “There is a saying, it is a very … er … women should shut up in public.

“I say it to my wife at home, it is a private one, okay.”

Realising he was on camera, a smiling Osieck continued: “And you record that one as well? I am going to be the darling of all Australian wives.”

He apologised on Wednesday after his remarks made headlines and took some of the gloss off Australia’s win.

“I got some information that it obviously created waves and that was definitely not the intent,” Osieck told reporters.

“To everyone who may feel offended I offer a sincere apology.

“It was nothing against any women … it was a complete misunderstanding,” he added.

“I have a lot of respect to women. I’ve been married for a number of years and I’m pretty happy with my wife.”

Football Federation Australia chief David Gallop said derogatory comments about women had no place in football.

“Holger has sincerely apologised and made it clear that he did not mean to cause offence with his comments,” he said in a statement.

“Diversity is a strength of football and respect for all participants is fundamental.

“Women have a strong voice in our game at board and senior management level,” he added.

“Clearly therefore any comment that implies women should remain silent in public is well out of step with the values of FFA and the Australian football community.”