Sam Kerr’s Absence from SheBelieves Cup Not Due to Court Case
Australia’s star footballer, Sam Kerr, will not be featuring in the upcoming SheBelieves Cup in the US, but her absence is not related to her recent court case. Kerr, who is 31, was found not guilty of racially aggravated abuse after calling a police officer “stupid and white” during a heated altercation at a London police station in January 2023. The incident occurred when she was taken to the station by a taxi driver after vomiting in his vehicle, and her fiancée, US international Kristie Mewis, smashed a window. Despite the highly publicized trial, Kerr’s decision to sit out the SheBelieves Cup is due to her ongoing recovery from a serious knee injury.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
During the trial, Kerr explained to the jury that she feared for her and Mewis’s safety, believing they were being kidnapped by the taxi driver. She stated that she made the comments because PC Stephen Lovell, who was attending to the situation, was failing to listen to her and did not understand his "privileged position" as a male. PC Lovell claimed he felt belittled and upset by her remarks. After just over four hours of deliberation, the jury at Kingston Crown Court acquitted Kerr of the charges. The incident, while deeply personal and contentious, has not affected her relationship with the Matildas or her eligibility to play for the team.
Recovery from ACL Rupture
Kerr’s absence from the SheBelieves Cup is primarily due to her recovery from a ruptured ACL, which she sustained at a Chelsea training camp in January last year. The injury has kept her out of action for a significant period, and Chelsea FC is carefully managing her return to training to ensure a full and safe recovery. While she is tipped to return in March, the club is prioritizing her long-term health over immediate participation in high-stakes matches. This cautious approach is essential for a player of her calibre, and her fellow Matildas are supportive of her taking the necessary time to heal.
Team Dynamics and Leadership
In her absence, Steph Catley will continue to captain the Matildas. Speaking in the US, defender Ellie Carpenter, who has been a key player for the team, avoided delving into questions surrounding Kerr’s status as the long-term skipper. "This will be my only comment regarding Sam," Carpenter told reporters. "I obviously hope she’s OK and [worry about] her well-being….it’s been a very challenging time for her." Carpenter also expressed her hope that Kerr’s rehabilitation journey is going smoothly and that the team will see her back on the pitch soon. "It’s such a hard and lengthy journey," Carpenter added. "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."
SheBelieves Cup Fixtures
The SheBelieves Cup, an annual international women’s football tournament, is set to kick off soon, and the Matildas have some tough matches ahead. The tournament will see Australia face off against Japan, the USA, and Colombia. The fixtures are as follows:
- Matildas v Japan – Friday, February 21, 9am (AEDT)
- Matildas v USA – Monday, February 24, 9am (AEDT)
- Matildas v Colombia – Thursday, February 27, 11:30am (AEDT)
All games will be streamed live on Paramount+, providing fans with the opportunity to support the team and witness the competitive matches.
Support and Optimism
Despite the absence of their top striker, the Matildas remain optimistic and focused on their performance in the SheBelieves Cup. The team’s camaraderie and support for Kerr, both on and off the field, are evident in the comments from players like Ellie Carpenter. Football Australia, the governing body for the sport in the country, has also refrained from making definitive statements about Kerr’s leadership role, likely to allow her the space to focus on her recovery. The football community, both in Australia and internationally, is rallying behind Kerr, hoping for a swift and successful return to the sport she loves.
