Football Australia to address Sam Kerr over behaviour, leadership future as teammates back star

Football Australia is set to sit down with star striker Sam Kerr after she was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment of a British police officer – with her Matildas captaincy on the line.

Football Australia says it will hold talks with national women’s team striker Sam Kerr about her behaviour and role of a leader but has stopped short of saying whether she will keep the captaincy.

Kerr was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment by a London court overnight. The incident unfolded after Kerr and now finance Kristie Mewis were in a cab in London after a night out.

After being taken to the police station Kerr called the police officer “f***ing stupid and white”.

Her actions have led to calls from fans for Kerr’s captaincy to be revoked. But Football Australia have refused to make a decision, while she’s also been supported by global sporting giant Nike.

It is understood Kerr will not lose her multi-million contract with sport apparel brand Nike at this time.

Kerr has been partnered with Nike for more than a decade, the deal reportedly worth $1 million a year.

When contacted by Code Sports Nike said it would not be commenting on the situation.

Following the not guilty verdict Football Australia released a statement. It was not attributed to anyone at the organisation.

“Football Australia acknowledges today’s Not Guilty verdict regarding Sam Kerr and welcomes Sam’s statement,” it read.

Sam Kerr is consoled by Emily van Egmond after Australia’s 3-1 World Cup defeat to England. Picture: Getty

“Sam has been a key figure in Australian football for many years, and we recognise the significant pressures that this matter has brought to Sam, Kristie, her family, and everyone involved, including the impact it’s had on the game.

“Throughout this period, Football Australia has remained committed to supporting Sam and will continue to do so as she focuses on her footballing career, rehabilitation from injury and return to play.

“Football Australia invests heavily in building the behavioural standards and expectations of all involved with our game, especially for all our national team players, where leadership comes with added responsibilities on and off the field. Football Australia will reflect with Sam on learnings from this matter and we will continue to provide appropriate support for her moving forward.

“We look forward to Sam’s return to the pitch and her continued contributions to both her club and the Matildas on the world stage.

“Football Australia will not be making any further comments.”

Football Australia said it supports Kerr in her ongoing injury rehabilitation. Picture: Getty

‘WE ARE ALL WITH SAM’: MATILDAS VICE-CAPTAIN STEPS UP FOR KERR

Matildas vice-captain Emily van Egmond has thrown her support behind Sam Kerr and while not her decision said she has no problem with the star striker wearing the captain’s armband on her return to national team duties.

Kerr was found not guilty of racial harassment by a London court after she labelled a police officer “f***ing stupid and white”.

The Chelsea striker hasn’t played for club or country since rupturing her ACL in January 2024.

Van Egmond has played 153 games for the Matildas, many of them with Kerr.

The pair have been friends for decades. Kerr attended van Egmond’s wedding at the end of last year.

Emily van Egmond and Sam Kerr have been friends for decades. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Van Egmond said she couldn’t comment on specifics as the court case was still ongoing at the time of the interview.

“We are all with Sam,” Van Egmond told CODE Sports.

“She’s an amazing person, one of my really good friends and I check in with her regularly just to see that she’s okay and that’s the most important thing to me.

“In terms of captaincy, that’s obviously up to other people to decide but for me she’s a great leader. She’s always been a tremendous leader and I wouldn’t have anyone else lead the team.

“She’s amazing, for everything she has done for the team and individually.”

Van Egmond said it wasn’t a “nice situation”.

Sam Kerr leaves Kingston Crown Court after being found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment. Picture: Peter Nicholls/Getty Images

“We just really all hope that she’s okay and we all support her and that’s the most important thing,” the midfielder said.

“I think you’ve got Sam Kerr the footballer but she is also Sam Kerr the person and that’s what I care most about, is her as a person right now and just to know that we’re here and we support her.”

The Matildas will head to the USA next week for the SheBelieves Cup.

It will be yet another camp without Kerr who is still in the process of recovering from her ACL injury.

Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni said Kerr wasn’t expected back on the pitch for Chelsea until March.

The Matildas will take on Japan, USA and Colombia in the week-long friendly series, with their first game on February 21.

Originally published as Football Australia to address Sam Kerr over behaviour, leadership future as teammates back star