Australia international forward Sam Kerr, who currently plays for Chelsea in the Women's Super League, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer in Britain. The incident took place in Twickenham, south west London, on Jan. 30 last year.
Kerr, 30, was charged with causing harassment, alarm, or distress to a police officer during an incident related to a complaint about a taxi fare. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the charge under Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986.
During a plea and trial preparation hearing at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court, Kerr denied the charge. Her defense argues that her behavior did not intend to cause alarm, harassment, or distress to the officer and was not racially aggravated.
Chelsea, Kerr's current club, has not officially commented on the reported incident. Football Australia released a statement acknowledging the legal proceedings and stated their focus on supporting their players both on and off the field.
The trial is scheduled to take place in February next year, with two police officers expected to give evidence. Kerr, a prominent figure in Australian football, holds the record for the country's all-time leading scorer in international football with 69 goals from 128 games.
She has been a key player for Chelsea in the Women's Super League since 2020 and has had successful stints playing for clubs in the U.S. and Australia. Kerr is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during a training camp in Morocco earlier this year.
Football Australia's chief executive, James Johnson, expressed the federation's surprise at the news and stated their commitment to understanding the situation while respecting the legal process in the UK.
