Chelsea's decision to keep Sam Kerr on ice means Football Australia won't have to make an immediate decision on whether she returns to the Matildas captaincy or loses it. It was thought Kerr would be available for the Matildas' two friendlies against South Korea next month, but she still hasn't made her return from an ACL injury.
Kerr hasn't played since suffering the injury in January of 2024, and her return to the playing field keeps getting pushed back. The Matildas star was named in Chelsea's squad for their Champions League quarter-final against Mary Fowler and Manchester City, but coach Sonia Bompastor later revealed she won't play until after the international break at the earliest.
It means she won't be playing for the Matildas against South Korea because she hasn't been cleared to return by Chelsea. Football Australia left her out of a 23-player squad that was announced on Monday for the fixtures on April 4 and 7 in Newcastle and Sydney.
Sam Kerr with Matildas teammates.
Sam Kerr won't be making her return for the Matildas when they play South Korea. Image: Getty
Football Australia continues to avoid Sam Kerr captaincy call
While the Matildas are desperate to get Kerr back as they've struggled so badly without her, her continued absence means Football Australia don't have to make a decision on whether she continues as captain. Kerr is still technically the Matildas skipper, but many are of the belief she should be stripped of the honour over her behaviour that landed her in court recently in the UK.
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Although she was cleared and escaped a conviction, many believe her behaviour wasn't that of an Australian captain. Steph Catley has led the Matildas while Kerr has been sidelined, and will continue to do so against South Korea.
Sam Kerr outside court in London.
Many believe Sam Kerr should be stripped of the Matildas captaincy. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Whether Kerr still wants to be the Matildas captain remains to be seen, and there's a possibility she could simply step aside so Catley can continue to lead. The fact she won't be playing against South Korea might be a slight silver lining for Football Australia, as any decision on the captaincy is likely to draw criticism either way.
Football Australia are also likely to draw less heat the longer the saga plays out, as it won't be at the forefront of people's minds like it was immediately after the court case. Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni said on Monday: "Sam's still making a comeback from her knee operation a year and a bit ago.
"She's not been fully cleared yet by Chelsea. She's on the mend and she's not too far off. Her first priority is to get her on the field at Chelsea and then hopefully she'll be available for selection for the Matildas."
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Matildas sorely missing Sam Kerr on field
Kerr has been sorely missed by the Matildas during her absence. After their stunning performance at the Women's World Cup in 2023, they've endured disastrous campaigns at the Paris Olympics last year and recent SheBelieves Cup.
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They were knocked out in the group stages of the Paris Games in 2024, and then left SheBelieves Cup in the US in February without a single point. They've now slumped to their equal-worst ranking since they were introduced in 2003, down to No.16.
Holly McNamara and Michelle Heyman are in Sermanni's squad as attacking options in Kerr's absence, alongside Mary Fowler and Hayley Raso. Sermanni has recalled young defenders Courtney Nevin and Jamilla Rankin for the South Korea games, while midfielder Clare Wheeler returns after missing out on the last two international windows through injury.
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