Investigation begins into release of Football Australia player and fan data
Football Australia is investigating reports that the private information of fans has been leaked. Photo: AAP
Football Australia is investigating reports that the private information of fans and players has been leaked as part of a possible cyber security breach.
The soccer governing body on Thursday issued a brief statement in response to media reports.
“Football Australia is aware of reports of a possible data breach and is investigating the matter as a priority,” the statement read.
“Football Australia takes the security of all its stakeholders seriously.
“We will keep our stakeholders updated as we establish more details.”
Information including player contracts and the personal data of ticket buyers could be among the data released, online publisher Cybernews reported.
Tweet from @CyberNews
A research team working for the website could not quantify the amount of exposed data, but pointed to Football Australia having enabled public access by not securing a digital key.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold insisted news of the potential breach hadn’t affected his players or staff in the lead up to Australia’s Asian Cup quarter-final in Qatar.
“Obviously we’re aware of it, but it’s no distraction at all,” Arnold told reporters at Thursday’s pre-match media conference.
“The FA are onto it and we’re just here to focus on the tournament.”
The Socceroos play South Korea on Friday evening (Saturday 2.30am AEDT).
-AAP