- Striker won’t play in tournament featuring four nations
- Kerr, 31, continues to recover from ACL rupture in her knee
- Hasn’t played competitive football in over a year
Sam Kerr won’t play for the Matildas in the upcoming SheBelieves Cup in the US – but it isn’t due to her recent court case.
Kerr, 31, was found not guilty of racially aggravated abuse after calling a police officer ‘stupid and white’ during a heated row at a London police station in January of 2023.
She directed the comments at PC Stephen Lovell when she was taken to the station by a taxi driver after she vomited in his vehicle and her fiancée Kristie Mewis smashed in a window.
Australia’s best ever female footballer told jurors she feared herself and US international Kristie Mewis were being kidnapped by the taxi driver – and she made the petulant comments because PC Lovell was failing to listen or understand his ‘privileged position’ as a male.
PC Lovell claimed he felt ‘belittled and upset’ by Kerr following her comments.
Kerr was acquitted by a jury at Kingston Crown Court after just over four hours’ deliberations.
Sam Kerr won’t play in the upcoming SheBelieves Cup for the Matildas in the US – but it isn’t due to her recent court case (pictured, with partner Kristie Mewis)
Kerr, 31, was found not guilty of racially aggravated abuse after calling a police officer ‘stupid and white’ during a heated row at a London police station in January of 2023
Kerr won’t feature in the US against the hosts – plus Japan and Colombia – as she is still recovering after rupturing her ACL at a Chelsea training camp in January last year
Kerr won’t feature in the US against the hosts – plus Japan and Colombia – as she is still recovering after rupturing her ACL at a Chelsea training camp in January last year.
She is tipped to return in March, but the Blues are easing her back into training.
Steph Catley will continue to captain the Matildas with Kerr sidelined.
Speaking in the US, defender Ellie Carpenter avoided questions surrounding Kerr’s blurred status as long-term skipper of the national team.
Football Australia are also yet to provide a definitive response to the question many football fans want answered.
‘This will be my only comment regarding Sam,’ Carpenter told reporters.
‘I obviously hope she’s OK and [worry about] her well-being….its been a very challenging time for her.
‘Secondly, we hope her rehab journey with her knee is going well, and we all can’t wait to see her back on the pitch.
‘It’s such a hard and lengthy journey. ‘I’ve been through it as well, so I really hope that she’s [soon] back on the pitch doing what she loves….that’s going to be the best thing.’
When do the Matildas play at SheBelieves Cup?
