Sam Kerr eligible to return as Matildas captain after Football Australia board meeting

Sam Kerr is eligible to be considered for the role of Matildas Captaincy after meeting with the Australian Football Board (FA).

Kerr will be linked to teammates in a capacity that does not play in Sydney this week after addressing his recent judicial case of the United Kingdom, where he was declared innocent by a position of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

She has not played since she broke her ACL during a Chelsea training camp in January last year.

Steph Cathery has captained Matildas in the absence of Kerr.

Kerr talked about his “regret” for the incident that involved the police officer, and the Board of the FA concluded that it did not guarantee more actions.

“I want to express my sincere regret for how events were developed,” Kerr said in a FA statement.

“It was an incredibly difficult period for me, my family, my club, my teammates and especially for fans whose support means a lot for us.

“I recognize that leadership means being aware of our actions both inside and outside the field.

“I am proud of the Matildas, the role I have played as a member of that team and everything we defend, and I am committed to learning from this experience.”

Kerr’s return to Matildas is relieved before his next coach is designated.

Tony Gustavsson’s permanent replacement is expected to be in place in the middle of the year.

The interim coach Tom Sermanni, who debuted to Kerr, 31, 15, in 2009, will supervise the first camp of the striker from the last judicial case of February.

Kerr was accused after an an hour altercation at the Twickenham police station in the early hours of January 30, 2023.

That followed a taxi trip where a drunk Ker spoke out the window.

FA was blind when Kerr’s burden came to light in early 2024.

On Monday, FA said that the incident had “implications” in relation to its code of conduct, but did not stop to say that Kerr had committed a violation.

The president of FA, the anterus Isaac, said that the incident should not eclipse Ker’s contribution to the game.

“Knowing how Sam (Kerr) feels about events, along with the additional context we have learned, has added a vital perspective that the general public may not be aware,” said Isaac.

“Leaving aside those difficulties, this incident should not compensate for the incredible contributions it has made, both public and private, inside and outside the countryside, for more than 15 years.”

As part of his program of return to the game, Kerr has joined Matildas for the international window from March 31 to April 8.

According to Chelsea, he will continue his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Matildas performance support team.

Kerr has not yet been authorized for competitive football.

But Matildas will hope that he is available to face Argentina in Melbourne on May 30 and Canberra on June 2.

AAPA