Chelsea FC star and Australia women’s captain, Sam Kerr, has pleaded not guilty to a “racially aggravated offense” involving a police officer in Twickenham, southwest London.
The 30-year-old striker was charged following an incident on January 30 last year, in which an officer was responding to a complaint related to a taxi fare. Kerr denied the charge at the Kingston Upon Thames Crown Court on Monday, with her appearance scheduled at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on February 1, 2025.
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement, noting that Kerr was charged via postal charge requisition under Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986. Football Australia expressed awareness of the legal proceedings and pledged support to the Matilda’s captain, emphasizing their focus on supporting players both on and off the field. However, due to the ongoing legal matter, further comments were withheld.
Chelsea FC, when contacted by CNN, declined to comment on the situation. Kerr, a Perth-born soccer star, joined Chelsea in 2019, playing a pivotal role in the team’s dominance with four consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) titles, three FA Cups, and two League Cups during her four seasons in London. Her significant contribution includes scoring 99 goals in 128 matches since joining the club.
Despite her achievements, Kerr faced a setback in January when she suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during training, ruling her out for the second half of the English Women’s Super League season and Australia’s AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Round 3 series against Uzbekistan in February.
The news of Kerr’s legal situation comes after she led the Australia women’s team to historic success last year by becoming the first team, regardless of gender, to reach a soccer World Cup semifinal. This legal development has created a cloud of uncertainty around Kerr’s future both on and off the field.
As the case unfolds, the sporting world and fans alike are left awaiting further details on the allegations and the potential impact on Kerr’s career. The court proceedings scheduled for February 1, 2025, will likely provide more clarity on the situation, determining the path forward for the soccer star who has been a key figure in Chelsea FC’s recent successes and a trailblazer for Australian women’s soccer on the international stage.
