Chelsea WSL star to Face trial in london

Chelsea WSL striker, Sam Kerr, will face trial in London for a charge of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

Kerr, via video conference, pleaded not guilty at the Kingston Crown Court on Monday, contesting the charge filed on January 21. The Metropolitan Police of Greater London allege that Kerr harassed an officer on January 30, 2023, in Twickenham, southwest of London.

“The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer who was responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare on 30 January 2023 in Twickenham,” a Metropolitan Police statement reads.

The specifics of Kerr’s alleged actions or statements remain unclear. The trial, slated to commence next February, is set for a four-day duration, with two officers expected to testify against Kerr.

During Monday’s hearing, Kerr, who is 30 years old, provided only her name and entered her not guilty plea. Judge Judith Elaine Coello queried Kerr’s defense strategy while conversing with her lawyer, Grace Forbes.

“I understand that the defense is that she didn’t intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the officer, [her behavior] did not amount to it, and it was not racially aggravated,” Coello said to Forbes

Kerr’s prominence in international soccer, notably as captain of the Australian women’s national team since 2019, underscores the gravity of the situation. She holds the record as the team’s top goal scorer and guided Australia to the 2023 Women’s World Cup semifinals, achieving remarkable success.

Kerr’s illustrious career includes appearances in multiple World Cups and Olympics, contributing significantly to her nation’s soccer legacy.

Her tenure in the National Women’s Soccer League, where she holds the all-time leading goal scorer title, and subsequent move to Chelsea FC of the Women’s Super League, where she excelled as a top scorer, further highlights her athletic prowess.

Despite suffering a torn ACL in January, which will sideline her for the remainder of Chelsea’s 2023-24 season and potentially the Summer Olympics in Paris, Kerr’s impact on the sport remains substantial.