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Matildas

February

Sam Kerr celebrates scoring for Chelsea.

Justified or double standard? Sam Kerr loses the culture war

A jury unanimously decided Kerr was not guilty of a racial offence. But the court of public opinion remains divided: is it racist to use “white” as an insult?

Sam Kerr arriving at Kingston Crown Court, earlier in the trial.

Sam Kerr found not guilty of racist slur

The jury was unanimous, but the judge said the soccer star’s behaviour “contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation”.

Matildas captain and Chelsea striker Sam Kerr leaves Kingston Crown Court on Monday.

Jury mulls Sam Kerr’s fate as her lawyer calls police ‘indefensible’

The defence argued to jurors that the Matildas captain’s “f---ing stupid and white” comment was a poor attempt to express a justified frustration.

Sam Kerr outside Kingston Crown Court on January 14, 2025.

Are Sam Kerr’s days as Matildas captain numbered?

There’s no denying some advertisers regard female sport as ‘brand safe’. Is it with Kerr leading a national team? Perhaps not.

American soccer player Kristie Mewis and Sam Kerr.

Sam Kerr ‘spoke her truth’ to white police officer, fiancee says

US soccer star Kristie Mewis tried to explain Sam Kerr’s behaviour towards the officer, as more body cam footage of the Australian on that night is released.

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Sam Kerr arrives at Kingston Crown Court, south London, on the third day of her jury trial.

Schoolyard racism and serial killings: Sam Kerr defends her outburst

The Perth-born soccer star, defending a charge that she racially harassed a London policeman, told the court why she had been “triggered” by him and a taxi driver.

Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr arrives at Kingston Crown Court where she is charged with alleged racially aggravated harassment of a police officer, in London, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.

‘Humiliated’ police officer denies engineering Kerr racial charge

The cop says he did not ignore the soccer star’s fears about her taxi driver and add to his own statement to get the accusation to stick.

Bodycam footage played to a UK court showing Matildas star Sam Kerr in a London police station.

‘F---ing stupid and white’: Sam Kerr in the dock

Bodycam footage of an emotional Matildas captain, shown in court, has captured the moment she allegedly racially harassed a police officer.

January

Australian football star Sam Kerr departs Kingston Crown Court after a pre-trial hearing on January 14, 2025 in Kingston upon Thames, England.

Matildas captain Sam Kerr back in London court

A jury trial awaits Australia’s biggest soccer star in early February, on a charge of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

August 2024

Tony Gustavsson during the Matildas loss to the United States this morning.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson exits after Olympic dream cut short

Tony Gustavsson informed the Matildas he would quit as coach after the 2-1 loss against the US, which ended their Olympic dreams.

Gutted: The Matildas are holding on by a thread after a 2-1 defeat to the US in Marseilles.

Matildas’ dream over after gut-wrenching defeat

The Matildas lost 2-1 to the US in a match riddled with errors and yellow cards. It was the team’s second loss in a group stage, meaning they are now headed home.

July 2024

A tough start to the Games.

Losing Matildas suffer a nightmare start to the Games

World Cup semi-finalist Australia simply outclassed by powerhouse Germany in a 3-0 loss on a stifling, dispiriting night in the south of France.

Ellie Carpenter.

Four properties, no shares: This Matilda has had a financial plan since 16

Ahead of competing in her third Olympics, Ellie Carpenter says she wants more female athletes to get money-smart to take advantage of the rising pay on offer.

Canada coach Bev Priestman has stepped aside for the match against New Zealand.

Spy drone scandal rocks Olympic soccer as police detain Canada staffer

The women’s soccer tournament is in chaos after New Zealand reported a drone spying on their session, leading to the dismissal of two Canadian coaching staff.

June 2024

Gorry, Foord named in Matildas Olympics squad

Coach Tony Gustavsson named his 18-strong Matilda’s Olympic squad in Sydney on Tuesday. Injured Foord and Gorry are selected in the team.

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March 2024

Zoe Samios on The Fin podcast.

Why Sam Kerr’s legal troubles won’t derail the Matildas movement

This week on The Fin podcast, Zoe Samios on the Matildas’ Olympic campaign, the bankability of women’s sport and Sam Kerr’s legal troubles.

Sam Kerr in action for Chelsea. Her lawyers will argue abuse of process in their bid to have charges dropped.

Kerr backed by Matildas star and Chelsea coach as ‘race slur’ revealed

The Matildas captain has the “full support” of the national squad and English team after new details emerged over her alleged clash with a police officer.

Sam Kerr

Football Australia, Matildas coach blindsided by Kerr criminal charge

Sam Kerr is to face trial accused of the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer. She was charged six weeks ago, but Football Australia was left in the dark.

February 2024

Hayley Raso makes a heart sign as the Matildas score against Uzbekistan.

Matildas crush Uzbekistan 10-0 to cruise into Olympics

Michelle Heyman scored four times as Australia trounced Uzbekistan in the second leg of their Olympic qualifier, going through 13-0 on aggregate.

Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley celebrate their win.

Australia’s favourite sports team is no longer male. Will the dollars follow?

Matildas merchandise already outsells the Socceroos’ by a factor of two to one. But in the big-money world of major sport, scoring goals doesn’t always move the dial.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/matildas-jfe