Chelsea star Sam Kerr has pleaded not guilty to a charge of racially aggravated harassment towards a police officer in London.
The alleged incident occurred in Twickenham in January 2023, with Kerr allegedly using the slur towards a police officer who was responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare.
On January 21 of this year, she was charged with a 'racially aggravated offence under Section 4A Public Order Act 1986', a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.
She is accused of 'using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to an officer'. The Sun claim that she is alleged to have called the officer a 'stupid white b****rd'. SPORTbible has contacted Chelsea Football Club for comment.
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The Blues striker is scheduled to attend Wimbledon Magistrates Court on February 1, 2025.
She appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video link, it is reported, and spoke to confirm her name and to enter her plea of not guilty.
Kerr is one of the star players of women's football, and has scored 58 goals in 75 Women's Super League appearances since arriving at Chelsea in 2019.
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The Australia international also captains her country, and is the Matildas' all-time record goalscorer with 69 goals from 128 caps.
The 30-year-old is currently out of action after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Chelsea's warm-weather training camp in January.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said (quotes via BBC Sport): "There is no place for racism in our sport.
"At the same time, Sam has rights, natural justice rights, procedural rights that she has to work through, and we will respect that.
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"We are trying to get to the bottom of it at the moment... we've got to find out what actually happened. I haven't spoken to Sam other than a text message to check in on her wellbeing."
Chelsea are yet to comment.
SPORTbible has contacted Chelsea Football Club for comment.
Topics: Chelsea, Football, Womens Super League
Ryan Smart