Matildas skipper Sam Kerr will face a criminal trial next year, accused of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
The news was first reported by the UK’s Daily Mail and confirmed by Football Australia on Tuesday morning.
The 30-year-old appeared in court on Monday accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to PC Lovell.
The incident is said to have occurred in Twickenham on January 30 and “relates to an incident involving a police officer who was responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare”, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.
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According to the Daily Mail, Kerr spoke only to confirm her identity and enter a not guilty plea to the charge as he appeared at Kingston Crown Court via videolink.
The judge outlined Kerr is set to defend herself by claiming that it was not her intention to upset the police officer in question.
“I understand that the defence is that she didn’t intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the officer, [her behaviour] did not amount to it and it was not racially aggravated,” the judge asked Kerr’s barrister, Grace Forbes.
Kerr’s four-day trial is scheduled for February 2025, where two police officers are expected to give evidence according to the Mail.
Football Australia said in a statement that it is “aware of the legal proceedings” involving Kerr but could not offer any further details on the topic.
“As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to provide further comment at this time,” the statement added.
“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.”
Kerr is unavailable to play for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, and thus the Paris Olympics, after suffering an ACL injury during a training camp in Morocco in January.
The Australian’s existing deal with Chelsea, meanwhile, is set to expire in the summer. However, The Athletic reported in January that she has agreed in principle to extend her contract with the Blues.