Matildas captain Sam Kerr has appeared in court southwest of London, facing accusations of racially aggravated harassment against a police officer stemming from an incident two years ago.
The Australian soccer star, 31, attended Kingston upon Thames Crown Court on Tuesday morning, where the charge was revisited. Kerr is alleged to have used insulting and threatening language that caused distress to a police officer, identified as PC Lovell, during an incident in Twickenham on January 30, 2023.
Reports in UK media claim the altercation began over a dispute involving a taxi fare, during which Kerr allegedly called the officer a “stupid white bastard.”
Kerr, a celebrated athlete from Western Australia, pleaded not guilty to the charge in March, firmly denying the allegations. A trial is set to commence next month.
The high-profile case comes as Kerr remains one of Australia’s most renowned athletes, following her leadership of the Matildas during their historic run to the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.