Football Australia decides Sam Kerr’s post-court fate
Sam Kerr has returned to the Matildas squad and will retain her captaincy following a London court’s verdict in her racial harassment case.
Kerr will link up with teammates in a non-playing capacity in Sydney this week for the first time in more than a year.
It follows her recent UK court case, where she was found not guilty on one charge of racially-aggravated harassment of a police officer.
It also follows a meeting with the Football Australia board. In a statement on Monday, the board said the case would not affect Kerr’s leadership of the Matildas.
Kerr, who hasn’t played since tearing her ACL during a Chelsea training camp in January last year, spoke of her “regret” for the incident, with the FA board concluding that it warranted no further action.
“I want to express my sincere regret for how events unfolded,” Kerr said in Monday’s FA statement.
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“It was an incredibly difficult period for me, my family, my club, my teammates, and especially for the fans whose support means so much to us.
“I recognise that leadership means being mindful of our actions both on and off the pitch.
“I’m proud of the Matildas, the role I have played as a member of that team, and everything we stand for, and I’m committed to learning from this experience.”
Crucially, it means Kerr’s captaincy, which she has held since 2019, has been settled before the Matildas’ next coach is appointed.
Tony Gustavsson’s permanent replacement is expected to be in place by mid-year.
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Interim coach Tom Sermanni, who debuted Kerr, 31, as a 15-year-old in 2009, will oversee the striker’s first camp since February’s high-profile court case.
Kerr was charged after calling a police officer “f—ing stupid and white” late in an hour-long altercation at Twickenham police station early on January 30, 2023.
That followed a taxi journey that went sour when a drunk Kerr vomited out of the window.
The altercation with police turned heated after it became clear the officers did not believe Kerr and fiancée Kristie Mewis’s telling of events.
FA was blindsided when Kerr’s charge came to light in March 2024.
On Monday, it noted the incident had “implications” in relation to its code of conduct, but stopped short of saying Kerr had breached it.
Chairman Anter Isaac said the incident shouldn’t overshadow Kerr’s contribution to the game.
“Knowing how Sam [Kerr] feels about the events, along with the additional context we’ve learned, has added vital perspective that the general public may not be aware of,” said Isaac.
“Setting aside those difficulties, this one incident should not offset the incredible contributions she has made, both publicly and privately, on and off the field, for more than 15 years.”
As part of her return-to-play program, Kerr has joined the Matildas for the March 31-April 8 international window.
Granted leave by Chelsea, she will continue her rehabilitation under the supervision of the Matildas’ performance support team.
Kerr, who is Australia’s greatest goal scorer, has not yet been cleared for competitive football.
But the Matildas will be hopeful she’s available to face Argentina in Melbourne on May 30 and Canberra on June 2.
