Sam Kerr makes statement with T-shirt message after Matilda’s drama

Superstar Sam Kerr has stepped out in Sydney in style, with candid photos revealing plenty after her dramatic return to the Matildas.

Sam Kerr has made a statement with candid photos showing the Matildas captain sporting a blunt T-shirt message the day after her dramatic return to the Matildas.

The Chelsea striker on Tuesday returned to training alongside teammates for the first time since Football Australia (FA) announced the governing body would take no further disciplinary action towards her.

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In February, the 31-year-old was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment after she called a police officer “f***ing stupid and white”.

Kerr on Wednesday was spotted rocking a popular Nike piece of apparel that has come to symbolise the rise of women’s sport around the world.

Candid photos from a casual family outing show Kerr wearing the “Everyone Watches Women’s Sport” T-shirt from the Nike-Togethxr collaboration collection, which was first released in 2023 and launched a new range this month.

Watch Sam Kerr with her family in the video player above

Sam Kerr sent a message with her choice of attire. Photo: Matrix Media Group and Getty Images, Darrin Traynor.

Celebrities like Jason Sudeikis and Chelsea Handler, along with US college basketball star Paige Bueckers, have been spotted wearing the slogan.

Commerce company Togethxr was founded by entrepreneur Jessica Robertson together with some popular female athletes, including Sue Bird, Alex Morgan and Chloe Kim.

Kerr has been a Nike ambassador dating back to 2019 in a deal that reportedly nets her around $1 million per year.

The superstar Aussie has been sidelined since rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in her knee in January 2024, but this week the FA announced she has been cleared to return to full duties with the Matildas.

Kerr out and about with her family in Sydney. Photo: Matrix Media Group

The million-dollar question still hanging over Kerr, whether she will be stripped of the Australian captaincy, was not addressed in the FA statement.

The Matildas are taking on South Korea in Sydney and Newcastle, beginning on Friday, but Kerr isn’t ready to return to action on the pitch.

In its statement, the FA suggested the general public may not be aware of “additional context” surrounding Kerr’s court case that rocked Australian football.

She admitted during the court hearings at Kingston Crown Court in the UK she was drunk at the time of the incident with police following a night out that led to her vomiting in a taxi and a window in the taxi being smashed before police were called.

That behaviour was enough for some to suggest she was not fit to captain the national team.

Kerr met with the FA board in relation to its code of conduct recently.

Kerr arriving at Kingston Crown Court in February. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

An FA statement said that Kerr acknowledged her actions which led to her arrest were “not her best moment and recognised the broader impact it had”.

“Knowing how Sam feels about the events, along with the additional context we’ve learned, has added vital perspective that the general public may not be aware of,” Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac said in explaining the decision to take no further action against Kerr.

“Setting aside those difficulties, this one incident should not offset the incredible contributions she has made, both publicly and privately, on and off the field for more than 15 years.”

The Chelsea striker said she wanted to express her “sincere regret for how events unfolded”.

“It was an incredibly difficult period for me, my family, my club, my teammates, and especially for the fans whose support means so much to us,” she said.

“I recognise that leadership means being mindful of our actions both on and off the pitch.

Kerr and the Matildas sign autographs during a training session on Tuesday. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“I’m proud of the Matildas, the role I have played as a member of that team, and everything we stand for, and I’m committed to learning from this experience.

“Moving forward, I’m focused on doing my part to ensure we grow even stronger together, and I look forward to having the opportunity of rejoining the team once I’m fit and ready.”

While she won’t play against South Korea, Kerr may take part in “selected training activities” and will continue her rehabilitation under the supervision of the Matildas’ performance support team.

FA last month released a statement saying the governing body will remind Kerr of the “behavioural standards” expected of national team players.

Emily van Egmond (right) has thrown her support behind Kerr. (Photo by Christophe SIMON / AFP)

Matildas vice-captain Emily van Egmond was asked about Kerr’s standing as the national team captain in Sydney on Tuesday.

“She definitely should not be stepping down,” van Egmond said.

“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.”

Originally published as Sam Kerr makes statement with T-shirt message after Matilda’s drama