Ange Postecoglou’s future in charge of Tottenham continues to be called into question after a picture going viral online hinted his fate may already be sealed.
A poor domestic campaign has seen the North London side drop to 14th place in the Premier League while they are eliminated from both local cup competitions, in what has been a campaign to forget for the Aussie manager.
The Europa League is currently Spurs’ only chance at silverware this campaign and it is widely believed he will be sacked if they fail to lift the trophy.
However, a recent photo circulating online has raised the question of whether Postecoglou could be headed out the door irrespective of whether or not Spurs go all the way in the European competition.
A picture circulating online suggests Ange Postecoglou could be set to be axed. Image: Getty/Football Classified on XSource: Supplied
A picture of Tottenham owner Daniel Levy sharing a coffee with former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has sent social media into a spin.
When the photo was taken remains unclear. It is yet to be verified whether it is a new photo or whether it was taken when Pochettino was in charge of Spurs.
What has thrust the image into the spotlight, regardless of timing, is recent comments from the Argentinian who said he hopes to return to the North London club in the future.
“When I left the club I always remember one interview I said I would like one day to come back to Tottenham,” he told Sky Sports last week.
“I am in the USA, so I am not going to talk about that now – but what I said then I still, after six years or five years, feel in my heart. Yes, I would like one day to come back.
“Not because of my ego, it’s because my feeling is I would like one day to win with Tottenham.”
Pochettino was in charge of Tottenham between 2014 and 2019 — the most stable reign for any Spurs manager in recent history.
Since leaving the club in 2019, Spurs went on to hire four full-time managers: Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, Antonio Conte and Postecoglou.
Mauricio Pochettino could be brought in to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images )Source: Getty Images
53-year-old Pochettino enjoyed a relatively successful time at the helm despite failing to bring the club any silverware. He led the team to the 2015 EFL Cup final, a 2019 Champions League final and a second-place finish in the 2016-17 Premier League season.
But while many fans are calling for Postecoglou to be removed and Pochettino to return, BBC Sports reports it would come at an almighty cost.
The news outlet reports if Levy were to sack Pochettino he would be required to pay the US “one of the biggest compensation fees in football history”, with the sum suggested to be close to $40 million.
Regardless of Pochettino’s availability, Postecoglou remains in a scrap to save his job with a crucial quarter final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt from April 11 crticial.
Former Spurs scout Mick Brown said Spurs simply must regain regular winning form fron now until May for Postecoglou to stand any chance.
“Tottenham, unless they put a run together from now to the end of the season, you would think that things might happen [to Postecoglou] there in terms of the sack for the manager,” he told Football Insider.
He added that Spurs sources have told him that Fulham boss Marco Silva is “top of the pops” to replace the Australian.
Virat Kohli, one of the most celebrated cricketers of this era, has taken a surprising step back from social media, leaving many fans curious about his decision. The former Indian captain, who was once highly active in sharing his personal and professional life on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), has drastically cut down his engagement. His reduced presence became even more evident when he refrained from posting anything about India’s historic Champions Trophy 2025 victory, a tournament where he played a crucial role. Instead, Kohli’s recent online activity has been largely limited to brand endorsements, further fueling speculation about his evolving relationship with social media.
During his appearance at the RCB Innovation Lab’s Indian Sports Summit, Kohli shed light on why he has been avoiding social media and the mental toll it had started taking on him. He spoke about how overwhelming the reactions to his posts had become and how he felt that it was draining his energy, which he would rather invest in his game, personal life, and relationships.
“The kind of attention and traction you receive when you post something on social media is quite unbelievable. It’s intense. Luckily, I was born in a time when I didn’t grow up with a phone in my pocket, so for me, keeping it aside is easy. A lot of people are not happy about my reduced engagement, but it’s something I’ve consciously tried to do. Keeping up with the constant stream of social media felt like it was draining my energy, and I didn’t want to waste that, Kohli said.
No post for India’s Champions Trophy 2025 win
One of the biggest shocks for his fans was Kohli’s complete silence on social media after India’s triumph in the Champions Trophy. Given that he was instrumental in India’s success – scoring 218 runs at an average of 54.50, including a match-winning century against Pakistan in the group stage and a crucial 98-ball 84 in the semi-final against Australia – his absence from celebratory posts was noticeable.
When asked why he refrained from posting about the victory, Kohli offered a simple yet profound response:
“So I didn’t want anything to do with it. And yeah, for me, posting about, for example, us winning the championship, it’s not going to increase the happiness in my heart. They all know we’ve won the trophy. So me posting about it is not going to give us two trophies. The reality stays the same,” the 36-year-old added.
Despite cutting down on personal posts, Kohli remains active on social media – but primarily for brand endorsements. Following India’s Champions Trophy win, his accounts featured a series of paid promotions, including advertisements for an energy drink, and a snack brand, all within a three-day span. This led to widespread disappointment among fans, who were expecting a heartfelt acknowledgment of India’s title win. Addressing this, Kohli clarified that his posts today are largely due to past sponsorship agreements and that he is now making a conscious effort to separate his personal life from his social media persona.
“A lot of the things that I still have to do on social media are the things that I’ve kind of agreed to in the past. But if you ask me today, I’m making a conscious effort not to include my social media handle which is private to me. In terms of whatever I’m doing next in my life, I’m kind of disconnecting the two. And I wanted to be able to do that because what happens is if you only see branded content on your platform, then people are like, oh, there’s nothing being posted apart from this here. And it just becomes too complicated,” the former RCB captain explained.
Focus now shifts to IPL 2025
With the Champions Trophy behind him, Kohli is now shifting his focus to Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, where he will once again represent Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). His team is set to begin their campaign against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on March 22. While his social media presence may have diminished, Kohli’s on-field performances continue to speak louder than any Instagram post ever could. As he prepares for another intense IPL season, one thing is clear—his focus remains unwavering, his goals remain intact, and his passion for the game burns just as bright.
Former Australian swimmer turned radio commentator Leisel Jones has issued a tear-jerking statement on air this morning in the wake of Marty Sheargold’s appalling comments about female sport.
His show did not air on Wednesday afternoon and Triple M has since made the call to part ways with Sheargold, with the station announcing they had “mutually agreed” to the decision.
“Southern Cross Austereo takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders and clients seriously and its programming should align with the standards and expectations of its audience,” SCA Chief Content Officer Dave Cameron said in a statement.
“Right now, it’s clear this is a moment for reflection and review. Triple M, and the wider SCA network, will continue to take all necessary steps to support staff.”
Sheargold said: “Having mutually agreed to part ways with the Triple M Network, I fully understand the gravity of my comments.
“I’d like to sincerely apologise to the Matildas and the broader organisation. I would also like to thank my immediate team for their hard work and apologise for the situation they now find themselves in.”
Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni said sports teams were “used to criticism” but Sheargold’s comments “crossed the line”.
“It’s completely unnecessary and generally outrageous, and, it’s something that from a behavioural perspective, is really very, very disappointing,” he said.
“For me, it’s not so much about sexism and misogyny, in a sense, although that’s unacceptable – let me make that clear.
“It’s what the comments were. The comments just crossed the line. They were just basically out of order and very, very unnecessary.
“Our team is obviously a very high-profile team, and being a high-profile team, you do take criticism, you do create criticism sometimes very near the edge, but sometimes that just goes over the edge, and those comments did that.”
Jones, 39, a nine-time Olympic medallist who co-hosts Triple M Breakfast on the Gold Coast, admitted to listeners she found it hard to front up to work on Wednesday after Sheargold made disparaging comments about the Matildas and women’s sport on his own Triple M show Monday afternoon.
Jones revealed she had been ambushed by dozens of negative comments on her Instagram account in the aftermath from people questioning why she hadn’t taken a stand on Tuesday’s show.
Speaking on-air Wednesday morning, an emotional Jones said she felt “extremely sick” by Sheargold’s comments, while also feeling forced to address why she was yet to talk about the controversy.
“I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to cry,” Jones, who was audibly sobbing, began.
“The comments are so hurtful against women’s sport that The Marty Sheargold Show shared. And obviously I’ve been quite upset all morning, and I was upset when I came in. I’ve been on and off the show all morning.
“It’s a very tricky position to be put in when Triple M is my place of employment, and obviously I love working on the show and I find it incredibly challenging to be put in a position where I become the unofficial spokesperson for women in sport.”
Leisel Jones has broken down in tears over Marty Sheargold’s comments.Source: SuppliedSheargold made disparaging comments about female sport on his own Triple M Show on Monday.Source: Channel 9
She continued, “Obviously, everyone would know I was a woman in sport. I’ve competed at the top level for women in sport and I am one of the biggest supporters. And when I woke up this morning and I came to work, I was bombarded with messages of why I wasn’t responding, why I didn’t say anything on social media.
“And I think a lot of people need to understand that it’s very hard when you’re in this position to say the things that you would really like to say. I would love to say all of these things. I have so many things inside that I would love to say I am the biggest supporter of women in sport.”
That aside, Jones went on to speak directly to the “little boys or girls” who might have heard Sheargold’s comments on their drive home from school.
“Please know that you are welcome to play sport … Sorry, I’m upset,” she said, her voice breaking.
“You are welcome to play sport to whatever level. You don’t have to be a midfielder. You don’t have to be an Olympian. You just play sport because sport is so wonderful.
“The biggest thing we could ask for is men to be on our side, when it comes to women in sport, because it’s always an uphill battle. To be paid less, to get less coverage, to not get the credit they deserve.”
Jones is considered one of the greatest Australian swimmers of all time.Source: News Limited
Finally, Jones issued a message to the Matildas, who were the main target of Sheargold’s spray, saying, “I think it’s so important to know they are inspiring, no matter what level they get to. Please know you are inspiring so many people.”
Sheargold’s controversial comments came after the Matildas kicked off their campaign in the annual SheBelieves Cup with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Japan on Friday, and then followed up with a 2-1 loss to the US three days later.
“There’s something wrong with the Matildas,” Sheargold said on Monday’s show.
“They had that wonderful tournament out here where we all fell in love with them, even though they didn’t make the quarters.
“You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls,” Sheargold continued.
“All the infighting and all the friendship issues, ‘the coach hates me and I hate bloody training and Michelle’s being a b**ch’.
“Now I’m sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it so you can stick it up your arse.”
Sheargold later apologised for his outburst. Picture: Supplied/Triple MSource: Supplied
Co-host Will Ralston attempted to continue reading the news, referencing the name of the tournament, which prompted Sheargold to say, “Oh, she believes in what? It better be men.”
Ralston continued with the sports report, saying, “We’re 12 months out from Australia hosting the Women’s Asian Cup, so hopefully we have a better runway to improve before that comes around.”
Sheargold responded, “Oh god. The Asian Cup. I’d rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that … Got any men’s sport?”
The 53-year-old later responded to the backlash on social media in a statement released by the radio network.
“Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence to my comments regarding the Matildas. I sincerely apologise,” he said.
A spokesperson for Southern Cross Austereo, Triple M’s parent company, also said, “Marty Sheargold’s comments regarding the Matildas — made during Triple M Drive on Monday, 24 February — do not align with Triple M’s views and values, and Triple M remains steadfast in its strong support of all women’s and men’s sports.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has taken to social media in an attempt to clarify his controversial comments made about the Africa Cup of Nations on Sky Sports.
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But Carragher also said after Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Manchester City that Salah’s chances of winning football’s individual top gong were hindered because the Egyptian does not get the opportunity to play in the Euros or the Copa America.
“I think the problem (is) the fact he’s with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in the major tournament as such, or maybe got a great chance of winning, I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament,” Carragher said on Sky Sports
“Normally, the player who excels in that, like Vini Jr and (Kylian) Mbappe right now – Real Madrid looking really good going for the Champions League.
“Liverpool will be in that conversation, but right now (Real Madrid’s players) are certainly the front runner.”
Richards and Sturridge immediately disputed Carragher’s comments.
“Just to say, AFCON is a major tournament because a lot of people are at home saying, “They aren’t taking it serious”. AFCON is a big tournament, just so you know,” Richards said.
Carragher then responded by posing whether Egypt would be a contender to win the World Cup next year, to which Richards replied: “No, but AFCON is big, isn’t it? You remember when him and Mané was going for it.”
Carragher responded by saying “oh god”, prompting Sturridge to step in.
“It’s a fact. It’s a fact. It’s a fact. If you win the Euros or Copa América it’s deemed to be big so the AFCON is in the same level,” the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker said.
Carragher has been slammed on social media for his remarks, including from Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand.
The former England centre backs have a history of public spats, and this time Ferdinand blasted Carragher on his YouTube channel for his “ignorant” take.
“I think [what he said] is representative of most of the people out there. But I don’t think that’s right. It’s an ignorant thought process,” Ferdinand said.
“If you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele , Samuel Eto, Riyad Mahrez, Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, they’ll tell you, “We have to win this” – there’s demand in their country to win this.
“Yes, it doesn’t get backed resources-wise like the Euros but that doesn’t mean you have to devalue it. It should be respected more than it is.
“I understand what Jamie’s saying but I don’t agree with it. That’s the majority’s fault and its not right.
“I think the federations like FIFA need to make sure they implement language around AFCON so it equals the Euros and the Copa America.
“Jamie is right in what he is saying. If Salah won AFCON that would have no bearing on anyone when they vote for the Ballon d’Or, which is absolutely wrong.”
Carragher called Ferdinand “a clown” in response, commenting on his Instagram post saying “I didn’t say that you clown, stop playing to the gallery like you always do”.
He also posted on X to try clarify his comments.
“The point I was trying to make yesterday was that MO Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Balon d’Or,” Carragher said.
“If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON & was MVP I don’t think he would win the Balon d’Or.
“Because I don’t think AFCON carries the weight of other tournaments. But if Mbappe had an average season at Real Madrid but won the World Cup/Euros he would still have a great opportunity.
“It’s not just about certain tournaments, Shevchenko (Ukraine) Lewandowski (Poland) were never going to win the WC/Euros to help their case for the prize. I don’t think it’s controversial at all really it’s just a fact.
“I know Mane came 2nd a few years back after winning the tournament but that alone wouldn’t have got him to that position, it was LFC being two games away from a quadruple that played a big role also.
“It’s not disrespectful if I feel the WC/Euros/CP are better tournaments it’s just my opinion when I watch them. Saying it wasn’t a major competition was clumsy but I think most people watching could understand the point I was trying to make.
“The face I pulled when Micah interjected was nothing to do with the merits of the tournament, I just knew as soon as he did what the reaction was going to be! I get a lot people didn’t like what I said & that’s fine.
“I don’t normally respond to things on here with posts like this but I decided to tweet in the end after seeing so many phonies jumping on the bandwagon & playing to the gallery when they knew what I meant. Good luck MO you little dancer.”
The Confederation of African Football’s social media accounts have also taken digs at Carragher, with several posts referring to this year’s AFCON in Morocco being a “major tournament”.
WARNING: This article contains language that some readers may find offensive
Comments live on-air from Triple M radio personality Marty Sheargold about Australia’s Matildas have been blasted as “disgusting” and “a f**king joke” — with the comedian since apologising, while Football Australia called the incident “deeply disappointing”.
The Matildas, Australia’s wildly popular national football side, are in the United States competing in the annual SheBelieves Cup along with Japan, Colombia and the host nation.
When the Triple M program and podcast, The Marty Sheargold Show, began discussing the Tillies’ results in the tournament on Monday afternoon, the host took the opportunity to express his feelings towards the team and women’s sport in general.
It’s understood the station has been flooded with complaints after the comments were posted on social media late on Tuesday.
Listen to part of the comments in the player below
The Matildas following their loss to the United States on Tuesday. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
It’s worth noting that when Sheargold began Monday’s show, he started with the message to listeners: “Little ears warning for the following podcast.
“It’s probably not for kids, there’s some adult concepts, not just today, every day.
“Buyer beware as they say.”
But we’ll leave it up to you to decide whether that is warning enough for what transpired live on Monday afternoon.
The discussion between Sheargold and co-hosts Troy Ellis and Will Ralson began with Ralston mentioning the tournament to date.
“In football or soccer it’s been a nightmare tournament for the Matildas over the last three or four days over in the US,” Ralston said.
Sheargold immediately jumped in with the following rant, including downplaying – unintentionally or otherwise – the Matildas’ semi-final appearance at the 2023 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
“There’s something wrong with the Matildas,” Sheargold began.
“They had that wonderful tournament out here where we all fell in love with them, even though they didn’t make the quarters.
“You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls,” Sheargold continued, as laughter rang out in the background.
“All the infighting and all the friendship issues, ‘the coach hates me and I hate bloody training and Michelle’s being a bitch’.
“Now I’m sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it so you can stick it up your arse.”
Triple M radio and podcast host Marty Sheargold. Picture: Supplied/Triple MSource: Supplied
The broadcaster and actor announced at the time he was taking an extended break to spend more time with family and “prioritise self-care (and) maintaining a better work/life balance”.
Ralston then tried to continue with the sports news bulletin, stating: “So we’re playing in the SheBelieves Cup.”
Sheargold jumped in, screaming “Oh, she believes in what? It better be men” as more laughter rang out.
After a conversation about Sam Kerr and her partner, American footballer Kristie Mewis, which included Sheargold’s question “do they play the same position?”, Ralson tried again to keep the bulletin moving.
Kristie Mewis (left) and Sam Kerr were also discussed on the program. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“We’re 12 months out from Australia hosting the Women’s Asian Cup, so hopefully we have a better runway to improve before that comes around,” he said.
Sheargold responded: “Oh god. The Asian Cup. I’d rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that,” as a sound affect and more laughs were heard.
“Got any men’s sport?”
Ralston replied: “Yeah I do, baseball, the New York Yankees have dropped their 49-year ban on beards, on facial hair.”
“Now this is a good story,” Sheargold responded.
The exchange came to light after Olympic hockey player Ambrosia Malone posted part of it on TikTok with the following caption: “I honestly don’t know what is wrong with the world.
Tokyo Olympian Ambrosia Malone posted some of the comments on social media. Picture: Alex Coppel.Source: News Corp Australia
“I heard this on the radio yesterday in prime time (5.30pm) on the way to training and all I could think about was the young girls sitting in the car with their parents, maybe on the way to or from their own training sessions hearing this.
“I’m sure many of them would have been hurt and confused … I was in disbelief.
“This is apparently acceptable on mainstream afternoon radio??? HOW??”
She added: “I’d name the station and speaker, but I don’t want to reward their behaviour with publicity.”
There was a strong reaction on the platform, with many stating the same disbelief at the comments and asking for the station to be named.
“It’s worth lodging a complaint about this,” was one reply. “If you provide the station and time then I’m sure a few people would be interested in also lodging a complaint.”
Marty Sheargold and Mary Fowler. Photo: Triple M and Mark King, Getty Images.Source: Getty Images
Another wrote: “Is this a f**king joke?!? I feel like I’m living in a simulation. That cannot be a real recording.”
“This CAN’T be real,” added a third.
After the station and host was added to the comments, a vast number confirmed they had lodged a complaint with Triple M.
News.com.au has reached out to Triple M for comment.
Meanwhile, more prominent female athletes voiced their anger.
Swimming great Libby Trickett commented: “I’m livid. It’s 2025 and this isn’t funny.”
Netballer Gretel Bueta commented “Yuk”, while Diamonds great Bianca Chatfield left an angry face emoji.
Sheargold has apologised amid the backlash, claimed his joke missed the mark.
“Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence to my comments regarding the Matildas. I sincerely apologise,’’ he said.
Triple M distanced itself from the comments, without indicating whether any disciplinary action would be taken against Sheargold.
An SCA spokesperson said: “Marty Sheargold’s comments regarding the Matildas — made during Triple M Drive on Monday, 24 February — do not align with Triple M’s views and values, and Triple M remains steadfast in its strong support of all women’s and men’s sports. We are sorry for any offence caused.”
Football Australia later issued a statement.
“Football Australia is deeply disappointed by the unacceptable comments made by Marty Sheargold on Triple M regarding the CommBank Matildas. Such remarks not only diminish the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our women’s national football team but also fail to recognise the profound impact they have had on Australian sport and society.
“The CommBank Matildas have inspired a new generation of Australians from young boys and girls to men and women who now see a future for themselves in football and sport more broadly. They have broken barriers, set new standards, and elevated the game to unprecedented heights. Their success has been instrumental in transforming women’s sport in Australia, and they deserve to be covered with the respect and professionalism they have earned.
“While we acknowledge the apologies issued by both Triple M and Marty Sheargold, this incident is a stark reminder of the responsibility media outlets and personalities have in fostering respectful and constructive discussions about women’s sport and its participants. Every comment, every report, and every discussion shape public perception and reinforces our society’s values toward women and girls in sport.”
While De Vanna received support from some sections of the football community, a number also doubted her claims while a number of Matildas refuted the allegations, with Kerr referring to the team environment at the time as a “safe haven”.
With Kerr, 31, found not guilty on Wednesday (AEDT) on one charge of racially aggravated harassment after she called a London polic officer “f**king stupid and white”, Football Australia released a statement stating it was “committed to supporting Sam”.
Sam Kerr was found not guilty at Kingston Crown Court in south London. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)Source: AFP
The statement failed to address Kerr’s captaincy of the popular Australian side and De Vanna, who was largely ostracised after her comments four years ago, took to social media to blast the governing body.
“Supporting somebody who has behaved poorly vs not supporting someone who calls out poor behaviour, that’s the true culture of the inner circle,” De Vanna wrote in a post on X.
“Double standards. At least I own my s**t!”
Lisa De Vanna is one of the best strikers in Australian history. (Photo by Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
After the not guilty verdict, the judge cautioned Kerr that “her own behaviour” in the police station had contributed to the case being brought in the first place.
After deliberating for a touch over four hours, the jury handed down the verdict at Kingston Crown Court, London, just after 2pm on Tuesday (1am, Wednesday, AEDT).
Kerr looked down as she learned the verdict and then hugged wellwishers including her family.
News Corp Australia’s Sophie Ellsworth, who was in court, said many of Kerr’s supporters in the public gallery broke down in tears as the verdict was read out – including her fiancee Kristie Mewis.
Kerr showed no emotion during the reading of the verdict but gave a thumbs up to her lawyer after the judge had left. An expressionless Kerr left the court shortly afterwards before posting a statement to social media.
“Following today’s not guilty verdict, I can finally put this challenging period behind me,” Kerr wrote.
“While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury agreed.
“I would like to thank my partner Kristie, my family, friends and all the fans for their love and support, especially those who attended court each day.
“I am fully focused on getting back on to the pitch and looking forward to an exciting year ahead for me and my family.”
Van Egmond, speaking with Code Sports, addressed the million dollar question about whether Kerr should remain captain of the squad.
Kerr (front row, second from right) and De Vanna (front row, far right) ahead of a 2019 Women’s World Cup match in France. (Photo by Jean-Pierre Clatot / AFP)Source: AFP
“We are all with Sam,” she said.
“She’s an amazing person, one of my really good friends and I check in with her regularly just to see that she’s okay and that’s the most important thing to me.
“In terms of captaincy, that’s obviously up to other people to decide but for me she’s a great leader. She’s always been a tremendous leader and I wouldn’t have anyone else lead the team.”
Football Australia’s statement read: “Football Australia acknowledges today’s Not Guilty verdict regarding Sam Kerr and welcomes Sam’s statement.
“Sam has been a key figure in Australian football for many years, and we recognise the significant pressures that this matter has brought to Sam, Kristie, her family, and everyone involved, including the impact it’s had on the game.
Star Chelsea striker Kerr is still recovering from a knee injury. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“Throughout this period, Football Australia has remained committed to supporting Sam and will continue to do so as she focuses on her footballing career, rehabilitation from injury and return to play.
“Football Australia invests heavily in building the behavioural standards and expectations of all involved with our game, especially for all our national team players, where leadership comes with added responsibilities on and off the field.
“Football Australia will reflect with Sam on learnings from this matter and we will continue to provide appropriate support for her moving forward.
“We look forward to Sam’s return to the pitch and her continued contributions to both her club and the Matildas on the world stage.”
Kerr remains sidelined as she recovers from the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament she suffered in January last year.
She won’t play for the Matildas in this month’s She Believes Cup tournament in the US.
Matildas star Sam Kerr told a court she was treated differently by police “because of the colour of my skin” after “fearing for my life” following an incident with a taxi driver.
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It is alleged Kerr, 31, and her partner, West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis, had been out drinking when they were driven to Twickenham police station by a taxi driver, who complained the pair had refused to pay clean-up costs after one of them was sick, and that one of them also smashed the vehicle’s rear window.
The court was told on Tuesday that Kerr had become “abusive and insulting” towards Lovell, calling him “stupid and white”.
But Kerr, giving evidence on Wednesday, said: “I believed (officers) were treating me differently because of what they perceived to be the colour of my skin – particularly PC Lovell’s behaviour.”
“The way he was accusing me of lying, and later arresting me for criminal damage even though Kristie said it was just her (who smashed the taxi’s window). At the time I thought they were trying to put it on me.”
FFA to wait for decision on Kerr | 02:20
Earlier on Wednesday (UK time) Kerr casually revealed the sex of her yet-to-be-born child and when she and fiancee Kristie Mewis plan to wed.
The Chelsea footballer also told the court she “feared for her life” when a taxi driver drove her and Mewis to a police station after allegations one of the couple smashed the car’s rear window after a drunken night out.
The couple had been celebrating prior to the incident and grabbed a cab to go home.
Kerr told a jury at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on Wednesday that she had put her head out of the window when she began to feel sick before the driver “rolled it up” and began to “drive dangerously”.
Sam Kerr arrives at Kingston-Upon-Thames Crown Court. Photo by Leon Neal/Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesSam Kerr (right) arrives at Kingston-Upon-Thames Crown Court with her father Roger Kerr. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesRoxanne Kerr, the mother of Sam Kerr, arrives to support her daughter at Kingston-Upon-Thames Crown Court.. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
She said the alleged dangerous driving continued for 15 to 20 minutes.
“I was terrified for my life. Everything was going through my mind about being in a car with a stranger I deemed to be dangerous. There was no reasoning with him. It was his way or nothing.
“Kristie asked him to stop the car but there was no change to his driving. We had no idea where we were.
“Kristie was very distressed. She was crying and scared. I’ve never seen her like that before and it made me more scared,” Kerr said on the stand.
Kristie Mewis, the fiancee of Sam Kerr leaving Kingston-on-Thames Crown Court in London on Wednesday. Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
“I started to realise how serious the situation was. It put me in protective mode … he had the power over us … I deemed him to be dangerous because of the driving, but also because he could have taken us anywhere.”
Kerr said the pair tried to open the doors and windows several times, but they remained locked.
Fellow footballer Mewis, who plays for London side West Ham, eventually “kicked out (the window) with her boot,” which led Kerr to feel “relieved”, but she added: “We didn’t get out straight away as the car was still moving”.
Body-cam footage of Sam Kerr was played in court. Source: TwitterSource: Twitter
On Tuesday, the court was told Officer Lovell first saw Kerr as she crawled through the smashed taxi window outside the station.
A “heated” discussion about the incident ensued between Kerr and the police, during which she allegedly became “abusive and insulting” towards Lovell.
Bodycam footage was shown in court of Kerr calling a police officer “f***ing stupid and white” during her arrest at a police station.
During her time on the stand, Kerr also dropped a baby bombshell.
Last month, on social media, Kerr revealed that she and Mewis were set to be new mums. She posted an image showing Mewis with a noticeable baby bump declaring she was “26 weeks and glowing”.
But the sex of the baby wasn’t known. She set that straight in court.
“We are expecting a baby boy,” she told the jury after being asked about her relationship.
Mewis is due in May.
Kerr also said she and Mewis would wed in December. They became engaged in 2023.
The pair met in 2019 after Kerr had been in London for six months. She said she “slid into Mewis’ DMs (direct messages)”.
Kerr made her debut for current Women’s Super League champions Chelsea in 2020. She is currently out of action with a knee injury.
Kristie Mewis and Sam Kerr. Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for Mission 44Source: Getty ImagesSam Kerr and Kristie Mewis will wed in December.Source: Supplied
Could Sam Kerr face jail time?
Kerr has pleaded not guilty to the offence of racially aggravated harassment to a police officer.
The offence carries a maximum sentence of 26 weeks in jail under UK law.
The offence also includes a maximum financial penalty of around $500 (£2500).
The damage to her reputation would be much more significant.Kerr is Australia’s highest paid female footballer and earned $3.3 million in 2023.
Will Sam Kerr remain captain of the Matildas?
Football Australia has refused to guarantee Kerr will remain captain of the national team.
“We understand that there will be some disappointment out there (from fans), but what we would ask is that we all wait out,” Johnson said on Wednesday.
“We know there’s a 30-second, 40-second clip out there but we also know there’s a 30-minute video out there which certainly we haven’t seen.
“What we need to do we need to give Sam the opportunity to go through the trial.
“Once we complete the trial, then we’ll have a holistic view of what’s happened.”
The 34-year-old Walker will join Milan for the remainder of the season in a deal that could become permanent in the summer.
Walker endured a difficult campaign as City captain and had not started a game since their derby loss to Manchester United on December 15.
He ends his long association with City, whom he joined from Tottenham in 2017, after winning six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League under Pep Guardiola.
“Manchester City… where do I start? Signing for this incredible club in 2017 was a dream come true,” Walker wrote on social media.
“Seven years later, winning 17 trophies, including the Champions League and the famous treble is something I could only have dreamt as a child.”
Milan are a distant eighth in Serie A but are on course for automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 after five straight wins in Europe.
In a separate social media post, Walker — who will be reunited with other England internationals Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek at the San Siro — spoke of his excitement in joining the Italian giants.
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“I’m delighted and proud to sign for AC Milan!” he said.
“A club with such rich history, one I’ve followed since I was a kid. It’s an honour to join and I can’t wait to pull on the Rossoneri shirt and get started.
He added: “A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, both on and off the pitch. See you soon! Forza Milan.”
His signing helps compensate for the loss of Emerson Royal, who picked up an injury midweek that could rule out the Brazilian right-back for up to two months.
Walker’s exit from the Etihad Stadium comes as part of a City rebuild, with Guardiola’s side currently 12 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool following an unprecedented run of four successive English titles.
Egypt forward Omar Marmoush joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an initial fee of £59 million ($72.6 million) with add-ons worth a potential £4 million.
He is City’s third signing of the January transfer window following the arrivals of defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
England great Michael Owen believes conquering the mental side of the game could be the determining factor between 18-year-old Australian Nestory Irankunda enjoying a long career in Europe and not quite living up to his incredible potential.
As a former teenage star himself, Owen is well qualified to speak on the topic.
In 1997, a then-17-year-old Owen scored on Premier League debut for Liverpool. Just four years later the former forward took home the Ballon d’Or as the best player in the world.
The ‘next big thing in Australian football’ is a tag that traditionally has carried a heavy weight in the post-golden generation era.
With it comes pressure, expectation and usually a move to a well-known European side – slightly ahead of schedule – thanks to the awareness of the Australian market created by five-straight appearances at the World Cup.
The risk for the purchasing club is minimal.
Nestory Irankunda of the Socceroos. Picture: Maya Thompson/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Australian players cost relatively minor sums and the potential reward, if that player shines, is a transfer fee worth millions.
The downside for the player is being thrown into an environment where the likelihood of a years-long cycle of loan spells is high.
Garang Kuol, for example, has struggled to make an impact at Newcastle United in the Premier League after his transfer from the Central Coast Mariners in 2023.
Daniel Arzani, after 24-appearances for Melbourne City, landed at Manchester City and was immediately loaned out to Scottish giants Celtic. An ACL injury on debut in October of 2018 cruelly halted his progress – and after a series of loan spells after his recovery, landed back in the A-League.
Only now is he starting to rebuild his career.
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Both left as teenagers and now Irankunda is following the same path. His move from Adelaide United to German powerhouse Bayern Munich at just 18 years of age has placed the spotlight on his every move as a Socceroo.
Owen, who scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for England, offered some advice to players like Irankunda in an interview with Fox Sports News to promote his upcoming speaking tour of Australia – An Evening with Michael Owen.
“If I was having a chat with somebody like that, I would hardly mention the game of football in terms of what they can and what they can’t do,” Owen told Fox Sports News.
“There are lots of people that are super talented, but being talented is obviously very important; you can’t get to the top without being talented. But then if there’s a million talented people in the world, then it’s all what happens between your ears.”
Irankunda has reportedly settled into life in Germany quite well.
Nestory Irankunda of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the ball. Picture: S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
He finished his first pre-season at Bayern with two goals and three assists and appeared an outside chance of swiftly integrating into the first team under manager Vincent Kompany.
The South Australian has since had to bide his time in the club’s second team while he pushes for his Bundesliga debut, but good form in that environment kept him in the plans of former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold and the man currently in the role, Tony Popovic.
Challenges await though.
In Popovic’s first match in charge, against China in Adelaide earlier this month, Irankunda started the match, but was substituted for Riley McGree at half-time in what the coach called a “tactical decision” at the time.
He didn’t feature in a 1-1 draw against Japan away in Tokyo just days later.
Popovic’s system, where the wingers take up more inverted roles, doesn’t appear to play to Irankunda’s strengths, but the young gun is good enough to adapt with time.
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At club level he has mainly featured in his more favoured role wide on the right.
“There’s a million things you could tell them, a million experiences that you could share with them,” Owen said.
“They live their own life, and we’ve got to understand their background and how they take to pressure.
“Yes, you could always give them little tips on how to improve, but it would all be about their mindset.
“How do they think going into a game: What happens if you make a mistake in the first minute? There’s another 89 minutes to go. Do you curl up in a ball or have you got coping strategies?
“A lot comes with experience. I learned some over time, but I also had a huge bank of know-how, of ability and mental strength to fall back on if I made a mistake in a game.”
There’s also hurdles off the pitch to conquer.
This generation of footballers are more active on social media than perhaps any other in the history of the game.
It gives them access to feedback, both positive and negative, quickly and in great quantity.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Arnold urged his players to stay off social media, warning it disrupted their mental preparation for games.
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Asked if he felt sorry for this current crop of players when it comes to the vast array of comments they get online, Owen had an interesting take.
“I don’t feel sorry for them,” he said.
“We had our own pressures. Our press were vicious, the pressure was huge; probably as much, if not even more back then.
“I feel sorry for young people in general with social media because everybody is under pressure to look good. You’re always getting it fed down your throat. So, I feel sorry for this generation of people because I think everybody feels that pressure, but no, I don’t feel sorry for footballers with social media.
TV pundit and former footballer, Michael Owen. Picture: David Rogers/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
“They can be on it, or they can be off it. They’ve got the choice. They can create their own image.
“We had no choice. We had our image created for us by the press. If they wanted to put a turnip on our head on the front pages of all our media, they could do it and they did it.”
The 44-year-old, now plying his trade as a pundit, will tour Australia next month for a series of speaking engagements.
‘An evening with Michael Owen’ will stop in Perth, the Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne; recounting a career that took him from Merseyside to Madrid and Manchester with stops at Newcastle and Stoke along the way as well.
The first show will be at Perth’s Ascot Racecourse on November 20.
Ex-Ivory Coast international defender Sol Bamba, who overcame cancer to resume his playing career, has died at the age of 39, his former clubs announced on Saturday.
“Leeds United are devastated to learn of the passing of former captain Sol Bamba at the age of 39,” said a statement from the English side.
Bamba had been working with the coaching staff at Turkish side Adanaspor when he was taken ill on Friday.
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“Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before the match against Manisa Football Club yesterday, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and unfortunately lost his battle for life there,” said Adanaspor in a statement on social media.
“Our condolences to his family and our community.” Bamba was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while with Cardiff City, but was declared cancer-free after a course of chemotherapy and returned to play again for the Welsh club as well as Middlesbrough.
France-born Bamba began his playing career at Paris St Germain before moving to Scotland.
He helped Dunfermline reach the Scottish Cup final before moving to Hibs and then Leicester in 2011.
Following spells in Turkey and Italy he joined Leeds, where he was club captain, while in his first full season at Cardiff he helped them clinch promotion to the Premier League.
He played more than 100 times for Cardiff.
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Cardiff posted on X: “It is with the deepest sadness that we have learnt this evening about the passing of club legend, Sol Bamba.
“As a player and coach, Sol’s impact on our football club was immeasurable. He was a hero to all of us, a leader in every dressing room and a true gentleman.
“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and everyone lucky enough to know and love Sol.” Bamba represented the Ivory Coast at the 2008 Olympics and played in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, winning 46 international caps in total
