The 31-year-old Chelsea striker was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer following a seven-day trial last month.
Kerr has been Australia captain since 2019 but uncertainty had remained over whether she would keep the armband, with interim head coach Tom Sermanni not drawn into questions over the future of the captaincy following the conclusion of the trial.
Football Australia confirmed in a statement on Sunday that members of its board had met with Kerr to discuss the situation. Following a review of “the full context of these events” it was deemed “no further action” was warranted and the matter is considered “closed”.
The governing body said Kerr “acknowledged her actions were not her best moment and recognised the broader impact it had” and her “professional and sincere acceptance of responsibility” meant no further disciplinary measures were deemed necessary.
“I want to express my sincere regret for how events unfolded,” said Kerr said in a joint statement released by Football Australia. “It was an incredibly difficult period for me, my family, my club, my teammates.
“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. ”
Football Australia board member Heather Garriock said following the Kerr case the governing body was “refining” its guidelines and training to “reinforce accountability and address potential reputational risks” with a view to helping “prevent similar incidents” in the future.
Kerr has not played for her club or country since 2023 after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in January 2024. Arsenal defender Steph Catley has captained Australia in her absence and Sermanni, the side’s interim head coach, called any concerns over Kerr’s captaincy “irrelevant” during February’s international break.
Football Australia chairman Anter Isaac added: “Knowing how Sam (Kerr) 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.”
Kerr was not included in the Australia squad for April’s friendlies against South Korea, but Football Australia said she would join the training camp for the international window to continue her recovery after being granted leave by Chelsea.
“While she may participate in selected training activities, Kerr has not yet been cleared for competitive football, with her focus remaining on health, progression, and long-term readiness,” the statement added.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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