Sam Kerr’s last-minute withdrawal a dishonest way to treat supporters

The Matildas’ last-minute withdrawal of superstar Sam Kerr was calculating and conniving, and has made all the fans waiting for this historic contest feel pretty foolish, writes Dean Ritchie.

Sneaky and deceitful.

Australia’s Matildas gave a two-finger ‘up yours’ on Thursday to the very people they are desperately trying to woo – their passionate fans.

Officials announced superstar Sam Kerr had been ruled out of the opening game against Ireland just an hour before kick-off at Accor Stadium when the team, player and coach knew she wasn’t playing for the past 36 hours.

What a dishonest way to treat their supporters, particularly the 76,000 deflated people who attended the game in Sydney.

Announcing it so late was calculating and conniving. Ever heard of transparency?

The Matildas trained in Brisbane on Wednesday with the media kicked out after 15 minutes.

If Kerr was injured, why not tell the nation, who spent Thursday promoting and lauding Kerr and her teammates in anticipation of a global sporting extravaganza.

We all feel pretty foolish now.

Kerr’s withdrawal was known only an hour before kick-off. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Kerr and coach Tony Gustavsson fronted a media conference on Wednesday evening yet the injury wasn’t revealed.

She has been ruled out for the next two games so this wasn’t a touch-and-go issue. It’s a serious calf injury.

Kerr was even door stopped at the airport for an interview by Channel 9 – nup, let the duplicity continue.

And what about this?

Players had a pre-game team walk on Thursday but didn’t tell the media where and when.

Instead, the Matildas filmed the walk themselves and issued it to television stations.

These are the cunning lengths they went to in order to hide Kerr’s injury.

This is meant to be the Matildas legacy tournament, a defining moment in the history of the sport that will shape the future direction of football in Australia.

But success isn’t just about winning.

If this is how they treat their Aussie fans, then they go jump. Every supporter is entitled to feel duped.

Originally published as Sam Kerr’s last-minute withdrawal a dishonest way to treat supporters