'No further action' - Kerr to remain Australia captain

Sam Kerr was appointed Australia captain in 2019

Sam Kerr will remain as Australia captain after the country's football association ruled out any further disciplinary action following the player's court case.

Last month Chelsea striker Kerr was found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment after calling a Metropolitan Police officer "stupid and white" in an incident in Twickenham on 30 January 2023.

In a joint statement with Football Australia, after meeting members of the organisation's board, 31-year-old Kerr expressed her "sincere regret for how events unfolded".

Football Australia said it had "concluded that Kerr's professional and sincere acceptance of responsibility, as well as her acknowledgment of the far-reaching implications of on and off-field actions, warranted no further action".

"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," said Football Australia chairman Anter Isaac.

"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."

Kerr, who has not played since the end of 2023 after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament during training in January 2024, said: "I recognise that leadership means being mindful of our actions both on and off the pitch.

"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 re-joining the team once I'm fit and ready."

Kerr, who joined Chelsea in 2019, the same year she was named Australia captain, returned to individual training in January.

While not yet fit to play matches, she has joined the Matildas training camp for their upcoming friendly fixtures against South Korea.

Kerr made her senior Australia debut aged just 15.

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