Australian women’s football captain Sam Kerr subjected to racial abuse by police officer, UK court hears

Sam Kerr (31), the captain of the Australian women’s football team, faced trial in a London court on Monday, accused of racially abusing a white police officer during an incident that allegedly occurred following a drunken altercation with a taxi driver.

Kerr, who plays for Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, reportedly told officer Stephen Lovell: “You guys are f***ing stupid and white.”

Despite admitting to making the remark, the Australia international, who has Indian heritage, pleaded not guilty to one count of racially aggravated harassment. Her legal representation contended that her comments were intended to address themes of power and privilege rather than racial animus.

During the proceedings at Kingston Crown Court, prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones recounted the events leading up to the incident. He revealed that Kerr and her partner, Kristie Mewis of West Ham United, had hailed a London black cab in the early hours of January 30, 2023, after a night out.

“Their journey did not end well,” Emlyn Jones stated. “The taxi driver contacted the police to report their behaviour, claiming they attempted to break a window.”

The driver subsequently took them to a police station rather than Kerr’s residence. According to Kerr, she had been sick out of the cab window, which escalated the driver’s aggression.

Kerr exited the broken rear window of the taxi, and she and Mewis entered the police station, where Kerr allegedly made the remark regarding Lovell’s ethnicity, as noted by Emlyn Jones. Following the incident, it was revealed that Kerr and Mewis agreed to cover the damages to the taxi.

The next day, Kerr voluntarily attended the police station for an interview. When asked if she believed her comments could be viewed as racist, she responded: “I am aware that anything can be perceived as racist, for sure.”

Emlyn Jones emphasized that the key issue was not whether Kerr made the comment, but rather what she meant by it and how it affected Lovell.

Commentary on Social Issues?

Kerr’s attorney, Grace Forbes, argued that her words should not be regarded as criminal behaviour.

“Sam Kerr did not harbour hostility towards the officer because of his race,” Forbes argued. “Her words were an attempt, albeit poorly articulated, to comment on matters of power and privilege, and how these issues might distort perception.”

The jury viewed footage showing Kerr and Mewis conversing with officers within the station, during which Kerr could be heard exclaiming that the taxi driver was “holding us hostage.”

At one point, she also mentioned that she would “get the f***ing Chelsea lawyers on this.”

Lovell testified that Kerr referenced her financial status, which he perceived as belittling. He also stated that her remarks caused him distress.

Kerr is recognised globally as one of the leading female strikers and is Australia’s all-time top scorer with 69 goals. However, she has been out of action since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January 2024.

The trial is expected to conclude this week, with Forbes indicating that Kerr will provide evidence in her defence.