Former star striker Lisa De Vanna has launched a tirade at Football Australia over its handling of Sam Kerr’s court case.
De Vanna made 150 appearances and scored 50 goals for the Matildas over a decorated 15-year career in national colours.
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The 40-year-old also found herself embroiled in controversy back in 2021 when she made allegations of bullying, grooming and sexual harassment within the 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”.
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!”
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.”
Matildas vice-captain Emily van Egmond has been among those throwing their support behind Kerr.
Van Egmond, speaking with Code Sports, addressed the million dollar question about whether Kerr should remain captain of the squad.
“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.
“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.
