Matildas back Sam Kerr’s captaincy claims as comeback looms following injury, court saga

Sam Kerr is back – but should she be captain? It’s a debate which has raged ever since news broke of the superstar’s police racism saga. And now her teammates have had their say.

Matildas vice-captain Emily van Egmond has rejected calls for teammate Sam Kerr to be stripped of the captaincy of the national team, launching a strong defence of her teammate following the police racism saga.

Kerr joined her Australian teammates on Tuesday morning in Sydney’s Double Bay, the first time she has seen the Matildas since her London arrest and the subsequent dismissal of charges in court over an incident in which she labelled a policeman “stupid and white”.

It has led to highly divided opinions on whether superstar Kerr should retain the captaincy of the national side, while Football Australia made clear no further action would be taken against her and she was free to resume her role as skipper when she returns from injury.

Sam Kerr takes selfies with fans during a Matildas training session. Picture: Getty Images

“No, she definitely should not be stepping down,” van Egmond said.

“I think the Federation have come out and said what they need to say. And obviously, Sammy’s had her side to say as well. And as teammates and a team, we’re in full support of her.”

A long-time friend of Kerr’s, van Egmond said the 31-year-old striker was in good spirits when he joined the group and revealed how the team had supported her through her trial.

Emily van Egmond (R) has thrown her support behind Sam Kerr ahead of the superstar’s return. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“Sammy’s been such an important figure for this team for x amount of years now, and a few of us have obviously grown up together and spent the juniors up until now together, and the first thing is removing Sam Kerr the footballer, to Sam Kerr the human being, and just making sure that she was okay.

“I think she’s just really happy, honestly, to be here. It’s been so long. She’s a big personality.

“She only helps the team in positive ways, so for us it’s really, really nice just to see her here again and be a part of the group.”

There were calls for Kerr to be stripped of the captaincy over her legal battle. Picture: Getty

Socceroos great Robbie Slater led calls for Kerr to step down as captain and allow Steph Catley to retain leadership of the side as they prepare for the Asian Cup in Australia next year, but van Egmond said the Matildas are fully supportive of Kerr.

“She’s a bubbly personality, she’s our captain, and it’s really good to have her,” van Egmond said.

“Football Federation put out their statement the other day, and I think that speaks for itself.

“And as her teammate and a friend, I’m nothing but happy for her. I’m just really happy that she’s here around us. Like I said, it’s great for not only her, but for the team.

“Sammy’s a professional at the very top, so if she ever needs to say anything, she’s more than comfortable for the team. And she has our full support as well as the Federation’s.”

The Matildas face Korea Republic on Friday night at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium in the first of two friendlies, with the second in Newcastle next Monday.

Sam Kerr is back in the fold for the Matildas. Picture: Getty

Kerr is still recovering from knee surgery and unlikely to play in either match, but will be alongside her Matildas teammates at an open training session for fans at Leichhardt Oval on Monday afternoon.

Van Egmond, the Birmingham midfielder with 156 appearances for Australia, said the Matildas are desperate to turn their fortunes around following a disastrous She Believes Cup campaign where they finished winless after defeats to the other teams; Japan, USA and Colombia.

Asked if the team had felt public sentiment turn against them since the home World Cup, van Egmond said: “When you’re doing well, everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon, and then when you’re not, you’re going to get negative comments, and that’s part and parcel of obviously professional sport and everyday life, I guess.

Sam Kerr enjoys a laugh with Matildas teammates in Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

“For us, it’s just making sure that we stick together, which we have, and we’ve got an unbelievable group, and we know what we’re capable of, and we know where we want to go.

“It’s just sticking together. Friday’s another opportunity for us now to obviously have a good performance.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Katrina Gorry will miss this international window after injuring her right ankle – just a year after she had surgery on the same spot.

Gorry, 32, injured her right ankle in March 2024 while playing for West Ham against Chelsea.

Now just a little over 12 months later, Gorry has once again injured her right ankle in West Ham’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

She’s been replaced in the Matildas squad by Melbourne City midfielder Leah Davidson.

Originally published as Matildas back Sam Kerr’s captaincy claims as comeback looms following injury, court saga