Ireland women's manager Vera Pauw says she wouldn't have received the same type of phone call from Tyler Toland's father if she was a man.
In an interview last month with RTE, Maurice Toland strenuously denied claims by Pauw that he engaged in "harassment" and "intimidation" over his daughter's non-inclusion in the Republic of Ireland senior squad.
Manchester City player Toland became the youngest ever women's international at the age of 16 back in 2017, but she hasn't featured in Pauw's squad since November 2019.
Currently on loan at Glasgow City, she was omitted from the panel to take on Iceland in two friendly internationals next week.
Pauw says Tyler Toland must call her to resolve her international future and says her gender was a factor in the nature of her exchange with Maurice Toland.
"He would never have done that to Stephen Kenny. That has hurt me very much and I hope that people realize what it does to a coach when things are then turned around and the attacker denies it and then attacks me. And also that is not the first time as a woman - as a woman in football it's not an easy place - but I know where it comes from, I know what it does, I know what this male - female thing - how that influences people - so again, I do not blame Tyler for that, not at all."
When OTB put it to her that Tyler Toland is a teenager and if she had any regrets about her own actions or words, which included asking Tyler to maybe show some 'guts' to call her, Pauw said her conscience is clear.
"Zero regrets, because I did not do anything wrong to her. No, that was a little push in the back that was to help her. And it's been turned into a negative with what's meant to help her. I am not a bad person. I am open for everybody and I have had worse in my career with players. Anyone can always discuss anything with me, so there's nothing that could hold her back other than her own decision to call me."
The Irish Times reported recently that Tyler Toland sent a text to Pauw to reach out and ask for a fresh start. We asked Pauw if that text was accurate.
"I need to put the text next to it, but probably it's been copy, paste.
"When we had the phone call. I said three times - 'So Tyler, it's not a text - it's a phone call, because we need to discuss it then'. Don't forget she turned her back to the Irish green shirt. I only see the player who said that she would not play for me and she would not put on the green shirt as long as I'm coach. So that player - if we agreed three times, so not a text, but a call - I expect a call and she said three times - 'yes, I will'."
Tyler Toland has previously spoken of her pride in pulling on the green jersey.
A call from Tyler Toland is all that it will take for Pauw to draw a line under the situation and move on.
"For me, yes, then she's one of the players of Ireland who is available for the Irish squad. If she is then within the 23 best, then she will be selected."
When we put it to Pauw again that Tyler Toland is a young person and if this matter should be in the public domain, the Dutch woman reiterated that she wants to 'save' Toland's career.
"I did not put it into the public domain. That has been going on for 18 months already, that her father has put it in the public domain. Then Tyler herself has put it in the public domain as if I would not select her. She is the one who solves it. I don't have a conflict with Tyler. I have got nothing against Tyler, and Tyler would be one of the players who could be selected if she is picking up the phone, because that is what we agreed.
"You can say she's a young player, she's an adult now. The only reason why I do this is to save her career, because for me it's very easy to pick up the phone, but that will not help Tyler. And I am here to make sure that I save her career, here."
Maurice Toland has called for an independent mediator to be brought in to address the controversy.
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