Footballer Sam Kerr To Make Matildas Return
Image: Sam Kerr @CommBankMatildas Facebook
Sam Kerr is eligible to return as the Matildas captain, and will face no further consequences in relation to her London trial, after a meeting with the Football Australia board.
In a with the organisation released on Monday morning, the striker expressed her “sincere regret” for verbally abusing a London police officer after a night out in 2023.
“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,” Kerr said in the statement.
“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.”
Kerr was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment after a high profile trial in February, during which the court was shown a video of the 31-year-old calling a police officer 鈥渇ucking stupid and white”.
Although the striker hasn’t been cleared for competition after tearing her ACL in early 2024, Kerr will be joining the Matildas training squad in Sydney later this week, where she will continue her recovery.
鈥淢oving forward, I鈥檓 focused on doing my part to ensure we grow even stronger together, and I look forward to having the opportunity of rejoining the team once I鈥檓 fit and ready,鈥� she said.
Kerr supported in captaincy bid
FA Chair, Anter Isaac, said group received 鈥渁dditional context鈥� on the situation, which helped to inform his decision.
鈥淜nowing how Sam [Kerr] feels about the events, along with the additional context we鈥檝e learned, has added vital perspective that the general public may not be aware of,鈥� he said.
鈥淪etting aside those difficulties, this one incident should not offset the incredible contributions she has made, both publicly and privately, on and off the field 鈥� for more than 15 years.鈥�
FA director and former Matilda Heather Garriock said the organisation would be revising its guidelines to 鈥渞einforce accountability, address potential reputational risks, and explore policy enhancements that will help prevent similar incidents鈥� to Kerr’s.
鈥淲e look forward to the opportunity of welcoming her back once she is fit and ready, and we fully support her ongoing journey in Australian football,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he team will continue open dialogue to ensure we all grow and learn together.鈥�
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