Chelsea striker and Matildas captain Sam Kerr is facing trial after being charged with racially aggravated harassment of a London police officer. The 30-year-old Australia international pleaded not guilty to the offence at a court hearing on Monday, with a scheduled appearance at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on 1 February 2025.
The charge stems from an alleged incident in January 2023, involving a police officer responding to a complaint about a taxi fare in Twickenham. Kerr was charged on 21 January with a racially aggravated offence under the Public Order Act 1986, according to a Metropolitan Police spokesperson.
Despite denying the charge at a plea and trial preparation hearing, Kerr is currently sidelined due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in January. Since joining Chelsea in 2019, she has scored an impressive 99 goals in 128 matches and holds the record as her country’s all-time leading goalscorer with 64 goals in 125 games.
Football Australia chief executive James Johnson addressed the situation, emphasizing that there is no place for racism in the sport. He stated that while Kerr has rights that must be respected, the federation is working to establish the facts before determining the next steps, including her role as the national team’s captain.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson expressed surprise at the allegations and shared positive experiences with Kerr as both a person and a footballer. Kerr’s achievements at Chelsea include multiple titles and nominations for the Ballon d’Or Féminin, solidifying her status as a top player in women’s football.
