Kerr on abuse charges

Matildas star Samantha Kerr was charged with racially abusing a police officer following a dispute over a taxi fare just hours after she celebrating one of her greatest performances for English club Chelsea.

A UK Metropolitan Police Service spokesman said the incident occurred in the early hours of January 30, 2023 in Twickenham.

The spokesman said Kerr was charged via a “postal charge requisition” on January 21 this year “with a racially aggravated offence under Section 4A Public Order Act 1986”.

The officer was allegedly abused after responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare.

Kerr had earlier scored a heroic hat-trick as Chelsea beat fierce rivals Liverpool 3-2 at Kingsmeadow to move into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

It was Kerr’s 16th goal for the season and a major highlight of her dominant year for the team.

“I wish I could do this every week, but that’s a striker’s life, right – sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t,” Kerr said after the game.

The officer was allegedly abused after responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare “in the early hours on January 30”.

The Australian football star entered a not guilty plea at Kingston Crown Court via video link and was informed she would be obliged to attend a four-day trial next February, during which two police officers are scheduled to give evidence.

Football Australia said in a statement it was aware of the matter but would not comment further.

Judge Judith Elaine Coelle reportedly said Kerr’s defence would be that she did not intend to upset the police officer involved.

Kerr is currently recovering from ACL surgery completed in January and is racing the clock to be fit for the Matildas’ Olympic campaign in Paris in late July.