Chelsea star Sam Kerr cleared of racially aggravated harassment charge | OneFootball

Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer following a week-long trial at Kingston Crown Court.

The jury delivered their verdict on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after 2pm, having retired to deliberate on Monday. Kerr, 31, had denied the charge, which alleged she called PC Stephen Lovell "stupid and white" during an incident in south-west London on January 30, 2023.

Kerr and her partner, USWNT footballer Kristie Mewis, had been out drinking before being driven to Twickenham police station by a taxi driver after allegedly refusing to pay clean-up costs when one of them was sick in the vehicle and the rear window was smashed.

It was claimed Kerr became abusive at the station, calling PC Lovell “f****** stupid and white.” During the trial, Kerr admitted to using the words but denied they were racially motivated.

She also claimed that she and Mewis feared for their life, believing the taxi driver was kidnapping them. The driver remained anonymous and was not called to give evidence at the trial.

A number of Kerr’s current and former teammates provided glowing character references on day five of the trial, including ex-Chelsea boss Emma Hayes and current club captain Millie Bright. Kerr has now been found not guilty of a criminal offence and can turn her full attention to matters on the pitch.

The striker has been sidelined for more than a year after suffering an ACL injury on a warm weather training camp in January 2024. Current Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor indicated Kerr could be ready for a return in February or March this year, but they will not rush her recovery.

The London club are about to enter the business end of the season as they continue to battle on all four fronts. Chelsea lead the way at the top of the WSL table, they have a League Cup final against Manchester City to come next month, as well as a two-legged Champions League quarter-final against the same opposition.

They are also in the hat for the FA Cup quarter-finals, with the draw set to take place on Tuesday evening.