Sam Kerr seeks to have racial harassment charge thrown out over 'abuse of process'

The Matildas star's defence team will try to have Kerr's UK charge thrown out and avoid a four-day trial.

Football Australia said it was shocked to learn that the Matildas captain had appeared before a UK court on Monday. Source: AAP / Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA

Matildas captain Sam Kerr will seek to have her racial harassment charge dropped.

Court documents show her defence team is hoping to avoid a criminal trial and have her charges dismissed at a court hearing on 26 April, arguing "abuse of process".

Kerr, Australia's highest-profile sportswoman, entered a not guilty plea on Monday over allegations of a racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

The Chelsea star — who is recovering from knee reconstructive surgery — is charged with using insulting, threatening or abusive words that allegedly caused alarm or distress to PC Lovell.

The incident allegedly occurred in Twickenham in London on 30 January last year.

The 30-year-old has not addressed the charges outside the courtroom and is currently scheduled to attend a four-day trial in February 2025.

What do the charges mean for Kerr?

Kerr appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video link and spoke only to confirm her identity and to enter a not guilty plea, the Daily Mail reported.

Harassment convictions in the UK can include a sentence of up to two years in custody when the offence is racially or religiously aggravated.

Football Australia blindsided by harassment allegations

London-based club Chelsea is yet to comment on the allegations against its key striker.

The English Football Association has a strict code of conduct, which requires players to "never engage in offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour".

Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said Kerr did not inform the sports body of her racial harassment charge, or her court appearance.

"I woke up this morning like everyone else did to the news," Johnson told reporters in Adelaide on Tuesday.

"And that is when Football Australia found out about this unsettling event."

Matilda's coach Tony Gustavsson also expressed surprise, but reiterated his support for Kerr and said he'd only ever had "positive experiences" of Kerr as a person.

Kerr, who has been the Matildas captain since 2019, is Australia's all-time leading goal scorer but is likely to miss the Paris Olympics in July/August due to her ongoing ACL injury.

Johnson and Gustavsson both refused to comment on whether Kerr would lose the captaincy of the Matildas.