Australia international forward Sam Kerr has pleaded not guilty to a charge of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer in Twickenham, London, on January 30, 2023. The incident reportedly occurred during an officer's response to a complaint about a taxi fare.
Kerr, who plays for Chelsea in the Women's Super League, denied the charge during a plea and trial preparation hearing at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court.
The trial is scheduled for February next year, and Kerr's defense asserts that her actions were not intended to cause distress, harassment, or alarm to the officer and were not racially aggravated.
London's Metropolitan Police confirmed that Kerr was charged with a racially aggravated offense under the Public Order Act 1986. Chelsea has not officially commented on the reported incident.
Football Australia released a statement acknowledging the legal proceedings and emphasizing their focus on supporting players on and off the field.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson expressed that the federation was not informed by Kerr about the charges and stated the need for the ongoing legal process in the UK to run its course.
Sam Kerr, a prominent figure in Australian football, is the country's all-time leading scorer in international football and gained recognition during the Matildas' successful run to the Women's World Cup semifinals in 2023.
Kerr has played a pivotal role for Chelsea, scoring 58 goals in the Women's Super League since 2020. Currently sidelined due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Kerr's trial is expected to last four days, with two police officers scheduled to provide evidence.
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