The verdict is in, and Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment.
The Matildas captain was acquitted after a heated exchange with a London police officer, where she called the officer "f***ing stupid and white".
Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, Kerr's teammates are standing by her, and Emily van Egmond, the Matildas vice-captain, has spoken out in support of her leader.
A Leader On and Off the Field
Van Egmond praised Kerr as an "amazing person" and a "great leader" who has always been a tremendous leader for the team. "We are all with Sam," she said.
"She's one of my really good friends, and I check in with her regularly to see that she's okay. That's the most important thing to me."
Van Egmond's comments are a clear indication that the team is behind Kerr, and they're not about to abandon their captain anytime soon.
Football Australia's Stance
Football Australia has maintained its stance that no decision about Kerr's captaincy would be made until the conclusion of the trial.
Now that the verdict is in, the governing body has released a statement acknowledging the Not Guilty verdict and welcoming Kerr's statement.
However, they've stopped short of addressing Kerr's captaincy directly. Instead, they've focused on supporting Kerr as she focuses on her footballing career, rehabilitation from injury, and return to play.
Support From Prominent Figures
Kerr has received strong support from prominent figures in Australia, including Sports Minister Anika Wells.
Wells threw her weight behind Kerr, saying, "I think it has been a rocky road for Sam and her partner... The more we find out about that incident, I think the more we can understand why they've acted the way that they have."
Wells also implored Aussies to get behind their star, saying, "Sam certainly has Australia behind her."
What's Next for Kerr and the Matildas?
Kerr remains sidelined as she recovers from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament she suffered in January last year.
However, interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni says Kerr could be fit for Australia's two games against South Korea in April.
As the debate around Kerr's suitability to retain the captain's armband continues, one thing is clear: the team is behind their leader, and they're not about to let her go without a fight.
