sport news Peter FitzSimons calls for Sam Kerr to be STOOD DOWN as Matildas captain after ... trends now
Peter FitzSimons has called for Football Australia to stand down Sam Kerr as the captain of the Matildas after she was charged with racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
Kerr, 30, allegedly called a police officer a 'stupid white PC' during a boozy night out in Twickenham, London in January, 2023.
The football superstar has pleaded not guilty to the charge and a four-day trial has been set down for February next year.
The alleged incident was sparked by a dispute over a taxi fare before Kerr allegedly used insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to PC (Police Constable) Lovell.
FitzSimons addressed the allegations in an opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday, where he said if Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins was charged with the same offence, he would've been stood down immediately.
Sam Kerr, 30, allegedly called a police officer a 'stupid white PC' during a boozy night out in Twickenham, London in January, 2023
'She may come back from this. But right now the FA must stand her down, while the rest of us – in the absence of any explanation at all from Kerr – must gaze in incomprehensible wonder, at how this happened,' he wrote.
The former Wallaby said being the captain of a national team was an 'ambassadorial role of great importance' which can only be held by athletes who represent the national values and who 'enjoy the full confidence of their sports federation'.
'Right now, neither condition is fulfilled,' FitzSimons said.
'As to enjoying the confidence of the sweet FA, how can they cut her any slack at all? She has known of these charges for six weeks and told them nothing, allowing them to be completely blown out of the water.'
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson
