Fresh details emerge in Sam Kerr’s ongoing legal battle as captaincy drama swirls

Matildas teammate Mackenzie Arnold has come to the defence of Sam Kerr as fresh details emerge surrounding her ongoing legal fight.

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has come to the defence of Sam Kerr as drama continues to swirl surrounding the striker following an alleged racial incident with a London police officer in January last year.

As Kerr’s legal fight continues, speculation surrounding her standing as the captain of the national side has remained in the spotlight.

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After news of Kerr’s charges first came to light calls flooded in for her to be removed as the captain.

While many have since walked back their initial calls for her removal, former Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson said she must be removed after hiding it from Football Australia.

“Regardless of the outcome of Kerr’s charge in England, her captaincy deserves to be called into question after hiding it from Football Australia,” Johnson wrote in a column for The Nightly.

“More than just being looked up to by many young girls and boys, Kerr is the captain.

“Leaders need to lead from the front, and not telling the national body about her legal issues sends a terrible message, more so when you’re the captain.

“This would be a good time to show the young kids who look up to her, or any of our sports stars, that you must be accountable for your actions. What message does this send our kids otherwise?”

Johnson says Kerr must be held accountable. (Photo by COLIN MURTY / AFP)

Arnold rubbished the suggestions from Johnson. (Photo by Tolib Kosimov/Getty Images)

In the wake of Johnson’s blistering attack, Arnold hit back and rubbished the suggestions that have been levelled.

“I don’t believe so (that there is conversations about whether or not to strip Kerr as Matildas captain),” she said.

“I haven’t really had that conversation. It’s just not really in the team environment right now.

“Honestly, we haven’t really spoken about it at all.

“Sam’s just really concentrating on her knee rehab back in London and she’s in high spirits and just pretty much carrying on with normal. We haven’t really conversed with the team and her at all.”

Kerr and Arnold during the World Cup. (Photo by Elsa - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The captaincy debate comes after Kerr’s legal team filed documents with Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday which underlined that she did not intend to racially abuse a police officer on an alleged drunken night out.

The prosecution have seven days to respond to the filing and outline how they intend to prove Kerr committed the alleged racist act.

Kerr was charged with intentionally causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress to a male police officer in London.

The incident allegedly occurred on January 30, 2023.

Kerr is reportedly set to argue her case that she never referred to a police officer as a “stupid white bastard”.

The alleged remark was brought to light a day after the Matildas striker appeared at Kingston Crown Court via videolink.

The report notes that Kerr isn’t denying that she referred to the policeman as “white”, but will instead argue she said “stupid white cop”.