Matildas captain Sam Kerr has been charged over alleged racial harassment of a police officer in London early last year.
In a statement, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said Kerr had been served with a court summons on January 21.
“The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer responding to a complaint about a taxi fare on 30 January 2023 in Twickenham,” the spokesperson said.
Kerr appeared in court in London on Monday, where British media reported she pleaded not guilty and is expected to go on trial in February 2025.
The 30-year-old is one of the biggest names in Australian sport and overcame a calf injury to shine at last year’s World Cup.
Football Australia says it is aware of the legal proceedings. (AAP: Richard Wainwright)
She plays for Chelsea in the English Women’s Super League, but is sidelined with a knee injury.
Kerr’s Australia-based manager, Niki White, declined to comment.
The Perth-born forward has scored 58 goals for Chelsea in the WSL where she has played since 2020 after stints in Australia and the United States.
She found the back of the net 69 times in 128 games for the Matildas.
In a statement, the sport’s governing body, Football Australia (FA), said it was aware of the legal proceedings.
“As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to provide further comment at this time. Our focus remains on supporting all of our players, both on and off the pitch. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as needed.”
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said he would support Kerr and the entire team.
“I think the FA have also been very clear about that, in terms of supporting our players on and off the pitch… and I understand why there are a lot of questions about that, but of course as a human being I will always support them,” Mr Gustavsson said.
The coach also said he did not think the situation would affect the entire team ahead of the Paris Olympics in July and August this year.
English FA not informed of allegations, boss says
FA chief executive James Johnson said Kerr had not informed the organisation of the accusation.
“I woke up this morning like everyone else to the news,” Mr Johnson said.
“It was at this time that Football Australia was made aware of this disturbing event. We are currently trying to find out more.
“We have our own questions that we would like to know, we need to find out what really happened.
“But we also want to say that there is a process underway in the UK and it must run its course.”
Kerr, a decorated Australian player
Kerr has been the Matildas captain since 2019.
She has won the Golden Boot on three different continents: the W-League in Australia and New Zealand, the NWSL in North America and the Women’s Super League in Europe.
In January 2022, Kerr overtook Tim Cahill to become Australia’s top goalscorer.
Western Australia’s $50.8 million State Football Centre was officially renamed the Sam Kerr Football Centre last October to honour his success and legacy in the world of football.
Kerr has been sidelined since January with an ACL injury. Her father Roger Kerr said on Friday she was “definitely” out of the Paris Olympics, which the Matildas qualified for by beating Uzbekistan 10-0 in Melbourne last week.
ABC/AAP
