SYDNEY: Talismanic Australian striker Sam Kerr was officially ruled out of the Olympics on Tuesday, almost five months after a serious knee injury derailed her season with Chelsea.

The Matildas captain, one of the biggest names in women’s football, ruptured her ACL in January and her father declared months ago that she would not be fit for Paris.

But there had been no official confirmation until national coach Tony Gusta­vsson unveiled a 23-player squad for upcoming friendlies against China in Adelaide and Sydney.

“Attacker Amy Sayer (ACL) and forward Sam Kerr (ACL) remain on the sidelines with long-term injuries,” the squad announcement said. “Kerr and Sayer will continue their rehabilitation programs in their home club environments and subsequently will not be available for selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2024