Matildas captain Sam Kerr has revealed some of the homophobic abuse she cops online, following Australia‘s recent FIFA Women’s World Cup victory over Brazil.
The skipper made headlines earlier this week after telling “haters” who had criticised the team after their 2-1 defeat by Italy that they could “suck on” this World Cup victory.
Kerr has since revealed some of the abuse she copped after the win. Overnight, she shared a screengrab of a homophobic Tweet she received in relation to a controversial refereeing call.
“For people getting upset about there being ‘no’ haters”, she said alongside the image:
For people getting upset about there being ‘no’ haters pic.twitter.com/rt4yVMIl2h
— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) June 14, 2019
Twitter Sports Australia has reached out to Sam Kerr, saying that they have “escalated” her report about the homophobic Tweet. They added that they are “sorry this happened.”
Many praised Kerr for the refreshing forthrightness of her “suck on that one” comments after the Matildas’ win. Others, however, were more critical.
These include World Cup veteran Heather Garriock, who told The Daily Telegraph:
“I’m sad that Sam’s come out in the media and acted like that. It’s disappointing that her comments, that weren’t humble, have overshadowed our comeback and victory … Maybe she just got caught up in the emotion, but it’s her job as captain to speak on behalf of the team. This is a turning point in the World Cup and the comments she made come from a bitter place.”
