Matilda’s star player and current Chelsea FC striker, Sam Kerr, has appeared at a pre-trial hearing to determine the next stage of her upcoming court case.
The Australian power player fronted Kingston Crown Court on January 15 where a trial date was set.
Kerr is facing charges relating to an alleged incident that occurred on January 20, 2023, involving a police officer who was responding to a complaint about a taxi fare.
She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A previously released statement from Football Australia noted that Kerr would receive support from the sport’s governing body as the case progressed, saying:
“As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to provide further comment at this time. Our focus remains on supporting all our players, both on and off the field. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as appropriate.”
Similarly, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson announced, he too, would continue to back his star player.
“I think FA was very clear on that as well, in terms of supporting our players on and off the field… and I understand why there’s a lot of questions about it, but of course as a human being I will always support.”
Below, everything you need to know about the upcoming case ahead of the scheduled trial.
What Is Sam Kerr Charged With?
Kerr is charged with causing a police officer “racially aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress” under section 4A of the Public Order Act in response to an alleged incident in Twickenham, south-west London, on 30 January 2023.
The incident in question occurred after a London policeman was called to a disagreement over a taxi fare, where Kerr is alleged to have used the phrase “stupid white bastard” against the officer.
She has denied all allegations and will uphold her previous ‘not guilty’ plea in the upcoming trial.
When Will The Court Case Begin?
The court case has been set for February 3 and will take place at Kingston Crown Court in London.
As it stands, the trial will take place over four days where the court will determine what lies ahead for the football star.
How Have Fans Reacted?
Claims that Kerr allegedly used a “racial slur” against the officer sent the internet into a spin at the time, but as further details emerged, the collective outrage was quickly silenced.
The premier of Kerr’s home state of Western Australia, Roger Cook, openly threw his support behind the beloved sports star, rejecting any notions of racist intent. And the same view was also shared by NSW premier, Chris Minns, who agreed that Kerr’s alleged comments weren’t racist.
In an interview with The Guardian, Professor Fethi Mansouri – an expert in intercultural communication at Deakin University – said “it’s very difficult to see how this can amount to being a serious racist incident.”
Noting that any likening of the sort could trivialise and oversimplify the systemic impact of racism being experienced by oppressed people on a daily basis.
“Racism, in many ways, reflects the notion that one group is categorised on a hierarchy as being better than the other group… You are basically pejoratively putting someone down in a way that relates to your own position within society.”
The incident also took place amid a swell of reverse-racism claims, which Mansouri said is when “people who are members of the majority groups … go on the offensive, saying: ‘Well, I’m also being subjected to racism’.” A dangerous rhetoric which, warned Mansouri, proved a “lack of understanding of the history of racism, of its complex manifestations.”
What’s Next For Sam Kerr?
After 12-months on the sideline of her beloved club Chelsea due to injury, Kerr is finally taking steps towards re-entering the squad.
She’s set to return to the pitch in either February or March, according to head coach Sonia Bompastor, and has most recently taken part in the team’s mid-season training camp in Portugal.
Off the field, Kerr and her soon-to-be wife, Kristie Mewis are about to welcome the birth of their first child together, after sharing their pregnancy news in November of last year.
This article will be updated as the trial progresses.
Related articles:
- Sam Kerr & Kristie Mewis Are Expecting Their First Child
- Samantha Kerr Felt She Had To Keep Her Gender Secret As A Young Player
- Inside Sam Kerr’s Romance With US Football Star Kristie Mewis
