Matildas vice-captain Emily van Egmond says returning skipper Sam Kerr has the support of the playing group and that she “definitely should not” hand back the armband once she’s ready to play.
Kerr is back with the Matildas for the first time in more than a year ahead of Friday night’s friendly against South Korea – but only in a training capacity as she completes her recovery from an ACL injury.
Once she returns to the pitch, the 31-year-old has been cleared to resume as captain after a decision by Football Australia not to impose any further punishment following her trial for racially aggravated abuse of a London police officer, in which she was found not guilty. Her club, Chelsea, also opted not to sanction her while Kerr’s sponsors have all stood by her throughout the controversy.
Van Egmond said Matildas players were thrilled to have Kerr back, albeit still unavailable to help them in matches.
“It’s amazing,” she said on Tuesday.
“Not only for herself but for the team. It’s just been really nice to have her around us and [we’ll] continue to support her with whatever she needs before she’s back on the pitch.
Sam Kerr and Emily van Egmond celebrate Australia’s 2-0 win over Denmark at the Women’s World Cup in 2023.Credit: Getty
“Obviously you guys know Sammy very well – she’s a bubbly personality, she’s our captain, it’s really good to have her, and it’s really nice to see her back in high spirits around the team.”
Van Egmond, one of Kerr’s closest friends in the team, said she hadn’t been paying attention to the split in public opinion over whether the Chelsea striker should have lost the privilege of being able to captain Australia because of her behaviour.
Steph Catley has been filling in as on-field captain during Kerr’s absence through injury, including during the Women’s World Cup in 2023 when her campaign was restricted by a calf strain.
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater, writing for News Corp Australia, believes Kerr should hand back the captaincy once she is fit and allow Catley to remain in the role to ensure the team does not deal with further distractions heading into next year’s Asian Cup on home soil.
That suggestion did not fly with van Egmond.
“She definitely should not be stepping down,” she said.
“The federation have come out and said what they need to say and obviously Sammy’s had her side to say as well. As teammates and a team, we’re in full support of her, and we’re just looking forward to the game now on Friday.
“To be honest with you, I don’t really read it, so I don’t know what people have been saying. As a team, we just focus on what we can control … I just want to reiterate that it’s a real positive thing for the team.”
More to come …
