The Japan Times - A gifted footballer, Sam Kerr's reputation takes hit after London trial

The 31-year-old Chelsea striker, who is mixed race, issued a public apology despite being found not guilty on Tuesday of racially aggravated abuse of a police officer in the early hours of January 30, 2023.

Kerr was recorded calling the policeman "stupid and white" but claimed she did not use "whiteness as an insult".

The judge said after the verdict: "I take the view her own behaviour contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation."

In a statement, Kerr apologised for "expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening", with the case threatening to leave an indelible mark on an otherwise unblemished career.

"Kerr discovers one drunken night has more impact than all those brilliant goals," the Sydney Morning Herald said, noting the fragility of a sportsperson's image.

"It has two foundations: the way they express themselves on the field, and the curated output of PR (interviews, books, advertisements, social media posts, public appearances and so on).

"The unscripted indiscretion, if evidenced, can bring down that edifice in a moment."

- 'Idiotic athletes' -

Whether the case does indeed have a lasting impact remains to be seen.

Kerr has not played football in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL).

Football Australia chief James Johnson refused to speculate during the trial on her future with the national team and whether she should remain captain.

Interim Australia coach Tom Sermanni said last week he expected Kerr to be fit for selection when the Matildas host South Korea in April, but he too declined to comment on whether she was the right person to lead the side.

The Australian Financial Review, in an opinion, said Kerr's suitability to be skipper "has more to do with public opinion, and its tolerance for entitled or idiotic athletes behaving badly".

"That tolerance has, lately, been shrinking," it added.

The Australian broadsheet was adamant Kerr should be "stripped of her Matildas' captain armband and banned from any leadership roles".

"If the captain of any of our national men's teams, the Socceroos included, had been found drunk in a taxi, mid-season, and using deplorable language they would have been stood down from the role immediately," it said.

"So why should Kerr get any special treatment?"

- Struggled -

Kerr made her Australia debut aged just 15 and has gone on to become one of the world's best players.

She was the face of the 2023 World Cup on home soil after her profile soared to new heights when she moved to Chelsea in 2020 and steered them to the domestic double.

Australia's all-time leading scorer, among men or women, with 69 goals in 128 appearances, Kerr has been shortlisted for the women's Ballon d'Or and nominated for the Best FIFA Women's Player consistently since 2017.

Born to an Indian father and Australian mother, she played Australian Rules as a youngster and was convinced she would one day represent her beloved West Coast Eagles, like her brother.

She switched though to football aged 12 and made her debut for the Matildas as a substitute against Italy in 2009.

Known for her pace, agility and heading ability -- as well as her trademark backflip goal celebrations -- Kerr began her career with Perth Glory aged 15.

She spent four years at the club before moving to Sydney FC then left for the United States in 2013.

Kerr went first to Western New York Flash, then Sky Blue FC in New Jersey and finally Chicago Red Stars.

- Australian of the Year -

But it was when she moved to Chelsea that her stardom rose to a whole new level.

While her onfield achievements have grabbed attention, she has also won plaudits for her work behind the scenes as an advocate for women's sport.

Named "Young Australian of the Year" in 2018, she was hailed as "inspirational, well-grounded, professional and mature".

Kerr helped drive change in Australian football with a minimum wage now in place and players treated as professionals.

S.Yamamoto--JT