After much speculation following a run-in with London police and a high-profile trial in the UK, Matildas legend Sam Kerr and the board of Football Australia have confirmed this is now a closed chapter. She will continue leading the team, having held the captaincy since 2019.
In a joint statement on Monday, Kerr and the board said she acknowledges her actions were ‘not her best moment’ and that she recognised the broader impact it had, including implications in relation to players’ Code of Conduct.
Last month, the striker was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment after calling a London police officer “stupid and white” in a 2023 incident in Twickenham. The charge carried a maximum sentence of $5000 and two years imprisonment. It also drew a broad range of reactions from football fans, with a faction questioning her captaincy over the drunken dispute.
In the statement, Kerr expressed her “sincere regret for how events unfolded” while Football Australia concluded her professional and sincere acceptance of responsibility meant there would be no further action.
“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,” Kerr said.
“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. Moving forward, I’m 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’m fit and ready.”
Football Australia chairman Anter Isaac said that, knowing how Kerr feels about the events as well as the additional context from the case, has “added vital perspective” the general public may not be aware of.
“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,” Isaac said.
As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, the football federation will also be refining its guidelines and training processes to “reinforce accountability, address potential reputational risks, and explore policy enhancements that will help prevent similar incidents” to the one involving Kerr, according to FA director and former Matilda Heather Garriock.
In a further update, the board confirmed Kerr has finally joined the rest of the Aussie squad, having been out of action since late 2023 after tearing her ACL during a training camp in Morocco.
Per the statement, she’s joined the training camp for the March/April FIFA Women’s International Window — spanning from 31 March to 8 April 2025 — as part of her return-to-play program.
She’s also been granted leave by Chelsea FC and will continue her rehabilitation under the supervision of the Matildas’ performance support team.
But while she’s able to participate in selected training activities, it might be a little while yet before we see her hit the field for a game — as she’s not yet cleared for competitive football.
Lead image: Getty
