Chelsea star Kerr cleared of racially aggravated harassment

Chelsea star Kerr cleared of racially aggravated harassment

Australia women’s football captain Sam Kerr was on Tuesday found not guilty of racially abusing a British police officer after a dispute with a cab driver.

Kerr, who has Indian ancestry, called officer Stephen Lovell “stupid and white” after police were called following a drunken dispute with a cab driver in the early hours of Jan. 30, 2023.

The 31-year-old, one of the world’s top female strikers who plays for Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, accepted saying those words but denied one count of racially aggravated harassment.

Her lawyer argued she was making a comment about power and privilege, and Kerr gave evidence last week that she felt police treated her differently because of the colour of her skin.

Kerr was acquitted by a jury following a trial at Kingston Crown Court. She showed no emotion as the verdict was delivered, as her partner Kristie Mewis cried in the public gallery.

Kerr gave a thumbs up to her lawyer Grace Forbes, before leaving the dock.

Forbes said she would apply for costs, to which Judge Peter Lodder said: “I take the view that her own behaviour contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation … that has a significant bearing on the question of costs.”

“Sam has been a key figure in Australian football for many years, and we recognise the significant pressures that this matter has brought to Sam, Kristie, her family, and everyone involved, including the impact it’s had on the game,” FA said in a statement.

Kristie Mewis is Kerr’s partner and plays for Women’s Super League club West Ham.

“Throughout this period, Football Australia has remained committed to supporting Sam and will continue to do so as she focuses on her footballing career, rehabilitation from injury and return to play.”

The case prompted calls from some Australian pundits to strip Kerr of the Matildas’ captaincy.

FA’s statement made no mention of her future as captain but said the governing body had invested heavily in building behavioural standards and expectations, and that leadership came with added responsibilities “on and off the field”.

“Football Australia will reflect with Sam on learnings from this matter and we will continue to provide appropriate support for her moving forward,” the statement added.

“We look forward to Sam’s return to the pitch and her continued contributions to both her club and the Matildas on the world stage.”

Kerr’s trial focused on the aftermath of a night out which ended with Kerr and Mewis, who plays for West Ham United, hailing a London black cab to Kerr’s home.

The driver took them to a police station instead, with Kerr giving evidence that the driver began behaving erratically, after she felt ill and spat out of the window.

Both Kerr and Mewis said they believed they were being held hostage, with Mewis kicking in the cab’s rear window in a bid to escape shortly before they arrived at the police station.

Towards the end of a long conversation between Kerr, Mewis, Lovell and two other officers, Kerr said: “You guys are fucking stupid and white.”

Lovell gave evidence that he was upset by the remark and denied an allegation by Kerr’s lawyer, Grace Forbes that he had claimed to be upset simply to secure a criminal charge.

Kerr, however, said she had felt “terrified for my life” during the cab journey and that police did not take her concerns seriously.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Published on Feb 11, 2025