LONDON: Australian footballer Sam Kerr, renowned for her prowess on the pitch, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of racially aggravated harassment involving a police officer, local media reported on Tuesday.
According to Britain prosecutors, the 30-year-old forward, currently representing Chelsea Football Club in England, stands accused of causing distress to a police officer during an incident in Twickenham, southwest London, on January 30 of the previous year.
Media reports indicate that the altercation involved an officer responding to a complaint regarding a taxi fare, as confirmed by London’s Metropolitan Police. Kerr, who was charged in January, formally contested the accusation during a plea and trial preparation hearing at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court.
In response to queries regarding the incident, Chelsea Football Club has refrained from issuing an official statement. Football Australia CEO James Johnson and national women’s team coach Tony Gustavsson expressed their recent awareness of the charges against Kerr during interactions with Australian media on Tuesday.
Johnson conveyed his concern for Kerr’s well-being and affirmed the importance of allowing due process to unfold, stating, “We’re trying to get to the bottom of it. We have our own questions we would like to know.” He emphasized the seriousness of the allegations and the necessity of respecting Kerr’s rights throughout the legal proceedings.
