'She definitely should not': Matildas veteran shuts down Robbie Slater's call for Sam Kerr to step down

Emily van Egmond has backed Sam Kerr to resume her role as captain of the national team amid calls for the star striker to stand down from her duties.

Kerr joined her Matildas teammates for the first time in over a year, with the squad currently in camp ahead of two clashes with South Korea on Friday and Monday.

The 31-year-old's return has been marred by the aftermath of her London arrest and Socceroos great Robbie Slater on Tuesday renewed calls for her to quit the captaincy as a result, writing in a column for News Corp.

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Kerr was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment of a police constable following a seven-day trial in London in February.

No sanctions were handed down to Kerr by her club Chelsea nor did Football Australia impose any further punishments against her.

She also maintained the support of her sponsors who elected to stand by her throughout the controversy.

However, the decision by Football Australia to allow Kerr to simply slot back in as captain has left some perplexed.

Slater called for Kerr to decline any offer to resume her role as captain in a bid to prove that she is committed to putting the team first and to win back the trust of fans.

But van Egmond, who currently serves as vice-captain under Steph Catley, disagreed.

"She definitely should not be stepping down," van Egmond said on Tuesday.

"I think the Federation have come out and said what they need to say. Obviously, Sammy's had her side to say as well. As teammates and as a team, we're in full support of her."

Kerr has been out of action for the national team since tearing her ACL in January 2024 but has been projected to make her return at club level with Chelsea in the near future.

According to van Egmond, Kerr had returned to the set-up in "high spirits" and was grateful for the opportunity to be amongst the group.

"I think it's really good, she's in high spirits, I think she's really been enjoying seeing the girls," the midfielder said.

"It's been a long time for her and for us. I think she's just always been a team-first kind of person as well. It's just a positive feeling for us."

Van Egmond confirmed Kerr will be in attendance to watch the team against South Korea on Friday at Allianz Stadium.