Sam Kerr’s lawyers seek to have harassment charge thrown out of court

Lawyers for Matildas captain Sam Kerr will attempt to have a criminal charge of racially aggravated harassment thrown out in a UK court hearing in April.

The 30-year-old 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 four-day trial is currently scheduled for February 2025, more than two years after the alleged offence.

However, Kerr may not have to face trial if her lawyers are successful in having the charge downgraded or dismissed.

On Monday she entered a not guilty plea, and documents filed by Kerr’s legal team show they will argue an abuse of process by crown prosecutors, according to multiple media reports.

These arguments will be heard in a court hearing set for 26 April.

The allegation against Kerr relates to an incident involving a police officer who was responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare on 30 January last year.

Metropolitan police confirmed she was charged on 21 January this year, almost 12 months since the time of the alleged offence.

In the UK, harassment convictions can include a sentence of up to two years if the offence is racially aggravated.

Kerr is yet to comment on the allegation, which Football Australia said it only learned of in the media on Tuesday morning.

FA chief executive James Johnson said he had not been given any prior notice.

“I woke up this morning like everyone else did to the news, and that is when Football Australia found out about this unsettling event.”

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Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson also told media he had no notice of Kerr’s court appearance.

Both said it was too early to say whether the matter would have any impact on the 30-year-old’s position as Australian captain.

“Sam has rights as an individual, she has pleaded not guilty and I think we need to remember that and we need to respect that,” Johnson said.

Kerr’s club Chelsea is yet to address the allegation.

Kerr injured her knee in January and is expected to miss much of 2024.

The Matildas qualified for the Olympics in July after beating Uzbekistan last week, and have three friendlies – including matches in Adelaide and Sydney – scheduled in coming months.