Home Stars & Entertainment Celebrities Australian soccer player Sam Kerr acquitted of racially charged harassment against police officer

Australian soccer player Sam Kerr acquitted of racially charged harassment against police officer

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Australian soccer player Sam Kerr acquitted of racially charged harassment against police officer
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Sam Kerr, a prominent figure in women’s soccer, was acquitted on Tuesday of racially aggravated harassment against a police officer. Kerr, who plays as a forward for both the Australian national team and Chelsea FC in England, admitted to referring to Police Constable Stephen Lovell as “stupid and white” amid a heated confrontation at a police station following a night out in London in January 2023. However, she maintained that her remarks did not constitute the alleged offense.

The jury’s decision was reached after over four hours of discussions on the seventh day of the trial held at Kingston Crown Court in London. In a message shared on Instagram, Kerr expressed relief at the verdict, stating, “Following today’s not guilty verdict, I can finally put this challenging period behind me. While I apologize for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury unanimously agreed.”

The charges stemmed from an incident where Kerr and her fiancée, Kristie Mewis—who plays for West Ham in the English league—were reportedly out drinking before a taxi driver took them to a police station. The driver alleged that one of the women was sick and caused a mess in the vehicle, and that there was damage to the rear window. Kerr, who claimed she felt “trapped” during the taxi ride, allegedly acted aggressively toward Lovell at the station, using profanity while referring to him in derogatory terms.

During her testimony in court, Kerr expressed regret for her choice of words and emphasized that her intention was not to offend. She explained that her reference to Lovell’s race was a reflection of her frustration with the perceived power dynamics in the situation, asserting, “I believed it was him using his power and privilege over me because he was accusing me of being something I’m not.” Kerr highlighted the disconnect she felt regarding their experiences during that night.

Following the jury’s ruling, Judge Peter Lodder remarked on the implications of Kerr’s behavior leading to the accusation, noting that it could affect considerations regarding costs. The high-profile nature of Kerr’s trial captured significant media attention in Australia, stirring discussions around the legitimacy of the charges and her conduct during the police interview.

Kerr’s leadership as the captain of Australia’s national women’s team, the Matildas, faced scrutiny from some commentators. She holds the title of the team’s captain and is their all-time leading scorer with 69 goals since her first game in 2009. Despite the controversies surrounding her, James Johnson, head of the Australian Football Association, refrained from commenting on how Kerr might be reintegrated into the national squad, urging the public to wait until the trial concluded to form a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Kerr has been with Chelsea since 2019, accumulating an impressive record of 99 goals in 128 appearances, contributing significantly to the club’s success as they defend their title and vie for the Women’s Champions League. Unfortunately, an ACL injury sustained during a training camp in Morocco in January 2024 has sidelined her from play. Nonetheless, she is anticipated to recover soon, with expectations to participate in upcoming friendly matches against South Korea in April, ahead of the 2026 AFC Asian Cup.