Leading football commentator Lucy Zelic believes Sam Kerr should be stripped of her captaincy due to her alleged behavior in an incident with a taxi driver and a police officer.
The Australian captain is currently on trial for causing racially aggravated harassment to a police officer in the UK.
The Incident
Kerr and her partner, Kristie Mewis, were involved in an incident with a taxi driver in south-west London, where one of them allegedly smashed the vehicle’s rear window and refused to pay clean-up costs after getting sick.
The situation escalated, and Kerr was arrested and charged with racially aggravated harassment after calling a police officer “stupid and white”.
Kerr’s Testimony
In her testimony, Kerr claimed she was treated differently by the police because of her skin color. She also cited a past incident in Australia where a serial killer was a taxi driver, which made her fear for her life.
However, Zelic believes that Kerr’s comments, as seen in the bodycam footage, were unacceptable and warrant her removal as captain.
Zelic’s Verdict
Zelic stated that Kerr’s behavior, including calling the police officer “stupid and white”, was not fitting for a national team captain.
She argued that bringing race into the conversation was unacceptable and that Kerr should face consequences for her actions.
Zelic emphasized that the issue is not about racism, but about Kerr’s behavior and whether she is a suitable role model for young girls.
Football Australia’s Response
Football Australia boss James Johnson has stated that the governing body will not make a definitive call on Kerr’s captaincy until the end of her trial.
However, Zelic believes that the evidence is clear, and Kerr should be stripped of her captaincy. The trial is ongoing, and Kerr’s future as Matildas captain remains uncertain.
What’s at Stake?
Kerr’s lucrative sponsorship deal with Nike and her reputation as a role model for young girls are at risk. Zelic questioned whether Nike would continue to stand by Kerr, given her behavior and comments.
The incident has sparked a debate about racism, behavior, and accountability, with many calling for Kerr to be held to a higher standard as a national team captain.
The Verdict
As the trial continues, one thing is clear: Sam Kerr’s future as Matildas captain is in jeopardy. Whether or not she is found guilty, her behavior and comments have raised questions about her suitability as a role model and captain.
Only time will tell what the outcome will be, but for now, the spotlight is firmly on Kerr and her actions.