Australian Soccer Star Sam Kerr Pleads Not Guilty to Racially Aggravated Harassment Charge in UK

Australian soccer star Sam Kerr has pleaded not guilty to a charge of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer, as reported by prosecutors in Britain on Monday.

Kerr, who plays for Chelsea in England, faces accusations of causing harassment, alarm, or distress to a police officer during an incident in Twickenham, southwest London, on Jan. 30 last year, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The incident allegedly occurred when a police officer responded to a complaint about a taxi fare, as reported by the PA news agency in Britain.

Kerr asserted her innocence during a plea and trial preparation hearing at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court on Monday, as per the Press Association.

The Metropolitan Police later confirmed Kerr’s charge, stating that it was related to an incident involving a police officer responding to a complaint about a taxi fare in Twickenham on Jan. 30, 2023.

Chelsea has not yet officially commented on the reported incident.

In court, Kerr’s barrister, Grace Forbes, indicated that the defense’s position is that Kerr did not intend to cause distress to the officer and that her behavior was not racially aggravated.

Football Australia released a statement acknowledging the legal proceedings involving Kerr in the UK, emphasizing that they are unable to comment further at this time and affirming their commitment to supporting players both on and off the field.

Football Australia’s chief executive, James Johnson, stated that the federation had not been informed by Kerr about the charges and expressed the need to gather more information about the situation.

The trial is expected to take place in February next year, with two police officers scheduled to give evidence over four days.

Kerr, a prominent figure in Australian soccer, holds the record for the country’s all-time leading scorer in international soccer and has had successful stints playing for clubs in the U.S. and Australia. She is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during a training camp with Chelsea in January.