Matildas star’s massive call on Sam Kerr captaincy debate

Matildas vice-captain Emily van Egmond has been asked the difficult Sam Kerr question that has divided Australian football.

Matildas vice-captain Emily van Egmond says Sam Kerr “definitely should not be standing down” as the national side’s skipper following backlash suggesting that she should give up the role.

Football Australia and Kerr released a joint statement on Monday, with the injured striker speaking of her “regret” for an incident in London in 2023 where she was charged but found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

Kerr hasn’t played since suffering a serious knee injury in early 2024 and is currently in camp with the Matildas ahead of Friday’s game against Korea in Sydney.

And while the federation and her teammates have no problems with her remaining captain when she returns, some fans and media commentators have called for her to be stripped of the role for bringing the team into disrepute.

Sam Kerr and Emily van Egmond. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“She definitely should not be stepping down,” van Egmond said in Double Bay on Tuesday morning.

“I think the federation have come out and said what they needed to say, and Sammy has had her say as well.

“As teammates and a team, we’re in full support of her.

“It’s amazing (to have her in camp) not only for herself but for the team.

“It’s been really nice to have her around us, and we’ll continue to support her with whatever she needs before she’s back on the pitch.

“She’s a bubbly personality and she’s our captain so it’s really good to have her and it’s nice to see her in such high spirits.

“Football Federation Australia put out its statement the other day and I think it speaks for itself.”

Van Egmond has no idea when the international superstar will return and said Kerr has earned the right to address the team about any issues whenever she feels comfortable to do so.

“Sammy is a professional at the very top, so if she ever needs to say anything then she’s more than comfortable with the team and she has our full support and from the Federation,” she said.

Sam Kerr is still recovering from a knee injury. Picture: Izhar Khan/AFP

The Matildas would desperately like to have her back on the pitch as soon as possible following their poor campaign at the SheBelieves Cup.

The Aussies were trounced 4-0 by Japan and were given a reality check ahead of next year’s Asian Cup on home soil, with the team still waiting for a permanent head coach to be appointed.

Tom Sermanni is currently serving as interim head coach.

“It takes time, but in saying that, if you get the right candidate then I think anything is possible,” van Egmond said.

“We’ve got a really good group of girls who are quite adaptable and have been put in similar positions in the past … so it’s not impossible.”

Originally published as Matildas star’s massive call on Sam Kerr captaincy debate