The Australian women soccer team's Olympic campaign was marred by allegations of favouritism by the coach towards a player to whom he sent an intimate text message, The Australian newspaper has reported.

The paper says a complaint to the Minister for Sport Rod Kemp, from one of the player's parents, says the team confronted coach Adrian Santrac after discovering the message he sent to co-vice-captain Sacha Wainwright.

Santrac refused a team request to remove Wainright during the Olympics despite her poor form - threatening to resign if his hand was forced.

The letter says: "During halftime, when the coach became angry at one team member for an error, many believed to be an error of the girl in the relationship, his behaviour was treated with great cynicism."

Senator Kemp has referred the complaint to the Santrac's employer, the Australian Sports Commission, the paper says.

The Matildas reached the quarter-finals in Athens before losing to Sweden.

The paper says Santrac and Wainright refused to comment.

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