The racial slur Matildas superstar Sam Kerr is alleged to have used against a British police officer was “stupid white bastard”, according to sources with knowledge of the case.
The 30-year-old appeared by video link at Kingston crown court this week accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to a police officer in January 2023. She entered a not guilty plea.
The alleged exchange with the officer came after Kerr, who plays for London club Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, became involved in a dispute about a taxi fare after a night out in south-west London.
The police were called to the scene in Twickenham and then it is understood by sources with knowledge of the case that Kerr allegedly called an officer a “stupid white bastard”.
It came as Emma Hayes, the Chelsea Women’s team manager, said on Wednesday that Kerr had the club’s “full support”.
The club has so far refused to make any direct comment but Hayes made her position clear when asked about it at a scheduled media conference on Wednesday.
“Sam has our full support, she knows that,” Hayes said. “It’s a difficult time for her. Of course I can’t comment, you know that. I can say that I know she’s pleaded not guilty and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardise anything for Sam by speaking about it.
“For that reason, I’m sure you can appreciate that’s all I’m going to say on the matter.
“But she has our full support, she knows that, it’s really important I get that across, it’s something I really really value.
“There’s difficult moments, tough times and that’s what my role is at this football club, to make sure I look after our people and I want to make it clear that Sam will be supported by me and everybody else.”
Kerr is scheduled to stand trial on the charges in February 2025, more than two years after the alleged offence.
However, she may not have to face trial because her legal team is planning to have the charge downgraded or dismissed.
Documents filed by the player’s legal team show they will argue an abuse of process by crown prosecutors, according to multiple media reports, with a hearing set for 26 April.
Kerr joined Chelsea midway through the 2019-20 season and has scored 99 goals in 128 games for the team.
She has also won the Golden Boot twice, was runner-up to Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí at the Ballon d’Or awards last year, and finished second on the Guardian’s list of the top 100 female footballers in 2023 after being third in 2021 and 2022.
She tore her anterior cruciate ligament at a Chelsea training camp at the end of 2023 and the injury which will prevent her from playing for the Matildas at the Olympic football tournament in August.
Kerr has been contacted for comment.
