Sam Kerr denies racially aggravated harassment of police & faces trial next year

Australia's superstar captain Samantha Kerr will face a criminal trial next year for alleged racially aggravated harassment of a police officer, the Mail can reveal.

The Chelsea striker appeared in court yesterday (MON) accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to PC Lovell during an incident in Twickenham, southwest London, on January 30.

The 30-year-old, who wore a white t-shirt under a black suit jacket as she appeared at Kingston Crown Court via videolink, spoke only to confirm her identity and to enter a not guilty plea to the charge.

She was told she was obliged to attend a four-day trial, scheduled for next February, during which two police officers are expected to give evidence.

Judge Judith Elaine Coello said it was understood that the footballer's defence would be that her intention was not to upset the policeman.

'I understand that the defence is that she didn't intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the officer, [her behaviour] did not amount to it and it was not racially aggravated,' the judge asked Kerr's barrister, Grace Forbes.

The charge comes as Kerr, who has scored 99 goals in 128 matches for Chelsea since signing in 2019, is sidelined with a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during the club's warm weather training camp in Monaco in January.

Known as 'Millionaire Mathilda' due to her vast career earnings, Kerr is the only female player to have won the golden boot in three different leagues and on three different continents.

The all-time top goalscorer for Australia was selected to carry her nation's flag at King Charles' coronation at Westminster Abbey last May, fronting a Commonwealth contingent which included Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.

Kerr, originally from Fremantle in Western Australia, has been shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or Féminin every year since its inception in 2018.

She has won four Women's Super League titles with Chelsea, as well as three FA Cups, two Women's League Cups and the Women's Community Shield in 2020.

Kerr and fellow professional player Kristie Mewis, 32, who plays in the US league, the NWSL, confirmed last November that the couple were engaged to be married.