Lisa De Vanna calls out Football Australia over ‘double standards’ in Sam Kerr legal saga

The Sam Kerr saga continues to haunt Football Australia, with their handling of the superstar called out by a Matildas great for double standards amid another attack on the team’s culture.

Former Matildas star Lisa De Vanna has accused Football Australia of “double standards” in their handling of the Sam Kerr saga.

De Vanna infamously found herself ostracised from the Matildas and Australian football for previously calling out the toxic culture within the team during her career.

Now she’s doubled down on her criticism of the Matildas in the wake of Kerr’s court case in the UK and Football Australia’s lack of action against their skipper who failed to even report the incident to officials when it happened in January 2023.

“Supporting somebody who has behaved poorly vs not supporting someone who calls out poor behaviour, that’s the true culture of the inner circle,” said de Vanna.

“Double standards. At least I own my shit!”

Supporting somebody who has behaved poorly vs not supporting someone who calls out poor behaviour, that’s the true culture of the inner circle.

Double standards. At least I own my shit!

— Lisa De Vanna (@lisadevanna11) February 12, 2025

De Vanna is not alone in questioning FA’s statement following Kerr’s court ruling, with respected commentator Lucy Zelic labelling it “weak” and taking aim at the behaviour of Australia’s highest profile football player.

“She admitted in court that she felt hostility and that she was behaving in a hostile manner towards the police constable involved, to PC Lovell,” Zelic said on 2GB.

“On the balance of that, as I have said we have to really assess whether this is someone of good moral character that deserves to represent the country and also, not only that, factor in well, is this also a suitable role model.

Matildas great Lisa De Vanna took to social media to call out the ‘double standards’. Picture: Getty

“If I were to show this to my five-year-old daughter would I want her to walk away from that and for her to feel like that was an appropriate way to treat people, that this is OK and acceptable?

“Of course, this conversation has evoked a lot of emotion. Last week I said I didn’t want to get into the etymology of racism. But in the interactions Kerr has with the police officer, she brings up the fact that this is a white thing, that this is a white privilege issue.

“Well, can I argue based on that premise alone, what is privilege and power if it is not behaving poorly and walking out of a situation as it stands without any consequence? Or being remanded for those actions.

“As it stands, Football Australia, the rumour is that they are sitting back behind the scenes and are debating the captaincy but you wouldn’t be able to judge that based on their statement.”

Sam Kerr was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment. Picture: AFP

Zelic said Kerr’s behaviour, beyond the “white” comments, were inappropriate for a national captain.

“The way that she decided to brandish her bank account, the way that she was speaking to the police officer … you take all of these things into account and to me, this is not someone who qualifies as a national team captain of their country – particularly of such a beloved franchise, regardless of the verdict,” Zelic said.

“Regardless of the verdict, for me, the fact that we were privy to this footage, the damage has already been done.”

Originally published as Lisa De Vanna calls out Football Australia over ‘double standards’ in Sam Kerr legal saga