Chelsea forward Sam Kerr, 30, is facing a criminal charge for racially aggravated harassment, with her legal team set to contest the charge in an upcoming hearing in London. Kerr pleaded not guilty during a recent court appearance via video link at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court.
According to court documents obtained by ESPN, a hearing is scheduled for April 26, during which Kerr's defense will argue an abuse of process in an attempt to have the charge dismissed.
The charge stems from an incident in Twickenham, southwest London, on Jan. 30, 2023, where Kerr allegedly caused harassment, alarm, or distress to a police officer, as per the Crown Prosecution Service.
If Kerr's legal team is unsuccessful in the April hearing, a trial is expected to commence in February of the following year. The trial is anticipated to last four days, with two police officers slated to provide evidence.
Sam Kerr is a prominent figure in Australian football, holding the record for the country's all-time leading scorer in international matches with 69 goals from 128 appearances. She notably led the Matildas to the semifinals of the Women's World Cup last summer.
On the club front, Kerr has been a key player for Chelsea, contributing to the team's success in winning the Women's Super League title in each of her four seasons with the club. She has also showcased her talent in club football in Australia and the United States.
Unfortunately, Kerr is currently sidelined due to an ACL injury sustained during a training camp with the Chelsea women's team in Morocco in January.
