Football star Kerr charged with 'racially aggravated offence'
Chelsea and Australia women's football superstar Sam Kerr has been charged with a "racially aggravated offence" after a dispute involving a London police officer, the Metropolitan Police said Tuesday.
The 30-year-old striker, one of the highest profile and best-paid players in the women's game, was charged following the incident in January 2023, police said in a statement.
The alleged dispute was sparked when a police officer responded to a "complaint involving a taxi fare", police added.
The Crown Prosecution Service told AFP that Kerr had pleaded not guilty to a charge of racial aggravated harassment.
She was charged under laws governing "threatening, abusive or insulting" behaviour, which can carry a fine or custodial sentence.
She will face trial in February next year, UK media reported.
The alleged incident occurred before last year's Fifa World Cup which took place in Australia and New Zealand, but was not disclosed until now.
Kerr – born to an Anglo-Indian father and Australian mother – is one of Australia and football's most treasured figures.
Last year she graced the cover of the Fifa video game alongside French superstar Kylian Mbappe.
She has been sidelined since January this year with a serious knee injury, a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The charges and Kerr's injury cast a shadow over her hopes of playing for Australia at the Paris Olympics which start in July.
Governing body Football Australia said it was "aware of the legal proceedings involving Sam Kerr in the United Kingdom".
"As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to provide further comment at this time," it said in a statement.
It was not clear when Football Australia became aware of the incident or the charges against Kerr.
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