Australia captain Lucas Neill slams 2010 World Cup Socceroos mutiny allegations

Australia skipper Lucas Neill has slammed allegations he initiated a player mutiny against former coach Pim Verbeek before Australia's 4-0 loss to Germany at the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The allegations of the player revolt emerged in well-known Australian football commentator Les Murray's new book The World Game: The story of how football went global.

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Murray claimed Neill was unimpressed with Verbeek's tactics for the Germany game and sent the Dutch boss away from the changing rooms before instructing his team-mates to disobey the orders.

However, Neill, currently on holiday in the United States, hit back at the allegations when he spoke to Fox Sports.

“I was absolutely shocked by this when I first heard it, and now I'm angry," said Neill.

"It's clearly from my point of view not true. I'd probably like to know how it's come about, and if it's a way to sell books then so be it - I've seen that done before - but I don't want to see my reputation, and all the hard work we've tried to do for football, looking bad in public opinion.

"Because it was a year ago you have to rack your brains a bit, but clearly what's been read to me, because I haven't even read it myself, it's stunning."

Neill added: "It's (accusations) quite laughable. I can't recall that (sending him out).

"We shake hands as a team of 40, and that includes backroom and medcal staff, and I certainly wouldn't tell anyone to go out early on the greatest night of their lives.

"We have all our meetings before the games so everything gets done on a computer or television and we sit there as a group of 23 players and go over the tactics.

“Really, when we get into the changerooms, we just put in the last reminders, but that doesn't get done on a whiteboard, it's just a little speech."

Football Federation Australia chief executive officer Ben Buckley backed Neill.

“No one involved with the Socceroos in South Africa can recall any incident with the slightest resemblance to what has been described in today’s press," said Buckley.

“As the captain of the Qantas Socceroos, Lucas Neill has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the past five years. He stands tall as an Australian sporting leader of the highest quality.”

Australia's 4-0 loss to the Germans ultimately cost them qualification for the knockout phase, after they finished behind Ghana for second spot in Group D on goal difference.

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