Lawyers for Matildas captain Sam Kerr will seek to have a criminal charge of racially aggravated harassment dismissed in a UK court hearing in April.
Kerr, 30, appeared in Kingston Crown Court on Monday, accused of using insulting, threatening, or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to a police officer in January 2023. The trial is scheduled for February 2025, over two years after the alleged offence.
Kerr entered a not guilty plea, and her legal team will argue an abuse of process by crown prosecutors, seeking to downgrade or dismiss the charge. The hearing is set for 26 April.
The allegation stems from an incident involving a police officer responding to a complaint about a taxi fare in January last year. Kerr was charged on 21 January this year, nearly 12 months after the alleged offence.
In the UK, harassment convictions, especially if racially aggravated, can lead to a sentence of up to two years.
Football Australia expressed surprise at the news, with CEO James Johnson stating they learned of the matter through the media. Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson also said he was unaware of Kerr's court appearance.
Both Johnson and Gustavsson emphasized Kerr's right to a fair legal process and her plea of not guilty. They stated it was too early to determine if the case would impact Kerr's role as Australian captain.
Kerr's club, Chelsea, has not commented on the allegation. She is currently recovering from a knee injury and is expected to miss much of 2024.
Despite the legal proceedings, the Matildas have qualified for the Olympics and have upcoming friendlies scheduled in Adelaide and Sydney.
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