The path is clear for Sam Kerr to retain her Matildas captaincy after meeting with the Football Australia board.
The Matildas and Chelsea striker will link up with teammates in a non-playing capacity in Sydney this week after addressing her recent UK court case, where she was found not guilty on one charge of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
Kerr, who hasn't played since tearing her ACL during a Chelsea training camp in January last year, spoke of her "regret" for the incident, with the FA board saying they would take no further action over it.
Kerr expresses 'sincere regret'
"I want to express my sincere regret for how events unfolded," Kerr said in an FA statement.
"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."
What has Football Australia said?
"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. 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." — Anter Isaac, Football Australia chairman.
Kerr found not guilty last month
Kerr was charged after calling a police officer "f---ing stupid and white" late in an hour-long altercation at Twickenham police station in the early hours of 30 January 2023.
That followed a taxi journey that went sour when Kerr vomited out of the window.
The altercation with police turned heated after it became clear the officers did not believe Kerr and fiancée Kristie Mewis' telling of events.
On Monday, FA noted the incident had "implications" in relation to its code of conduct, but stopped short of saying Kerr had breached it.
