Football Australia has decided not to pursue any further action against Sam Kerr following her acquittal by a London jury on charges of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer. On Monday morning, the organisation released a statement detailing a meeting between Kerr and its board members, during which she expressed “sincere regret” for her previous actions.
During the discussion, Kerr recognised the consequences of her behaviour and its implications for Football Australia’s code of conduct. She conveyed her feelings, stating, “I want to express my sincere regret for how events unfolded.” The highly regarded striker also reflected on the challenging times that affected her family, teammates, club, and the fans who support them.
Kerr acknowledged the importance of leadership, emphasising the need to be conscious of one’s actions both on and off the field. She conveyed pride in her role with the Matildas and reaffirmed her dedication to learning from this experience. Looking ahead, she expressed her commitment to contributing to the team’s growth and excitement about rejoining the Matildas when she is fit.
Now that the situation has been resolved, Kerr is expected to continue her role as captain of the Matildas as she returns from a long injury layoff due to an ACL rupture in January 2024. Heather Garriock, chair of the football development committee and board member of Football Australia, stated, “Sam remains a valued member of the Matildas, recognised by her teammates for her leadership qualities.” She added that the organisation looks forward to Kerr’s return when she has fully recovered and continues to support her journey in Australian football.
Currently, Kerr has joined the Matildas’ training camp in preparation for the upcoming FIFA international window after receiving leave from her club, Chelsea. Her rehabilitation process will be overseen by the Matildas’ performance support team.
Overall, this chapter seems to be closing positively for Kerr and the Matildas as they aim to move forward together.