Chelsea footballer Sam Kerr is currently on trial for allegedly causing racing-aggravated harassment towards a Metropolitan Police officer. The incident occurred on January 30, 2023, after a night out in southwest London.
Kerr, one of the top players in women’s soccer and the captain of the Australian national team, reportedly referred to the police constable Stephen Lovell as “Stupid and White” during her interaction with him at Twickenham Police Station.
This allegation was presented in Kingston Crown Court on February 3, 2025, where prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC outlined the events leading to the confrontation.
The incident began when Kerr and her partner, fellow footballer Kristie Mewis, took a taxi after a night of drinking. The taxi driver claimed they refused to pay fees after one of them became ill and that one of them had broken the taxi’s near window. The driver subsequently took them to the police station to resolve the dispute.
During the court proceedings, jurors viewed body camera footage from PC Lovell. In this footage, Kerr expressed her fear and frustration, stating that she and Mewis felt “trapped” in the taxi.
She described the situations as “fed” and “find scary,” emphasizing their distress as two women in a vulnerable position with a male driver.
Kerr’s comments directed at PC Lovell were described as “abusive and insulting.” According to Lovell, he felt “upset” by Kerr’s remarks, which left him feeling shocked and humiliated. He testified that her comments made him feel belittled and questioned his professionalism.
Defence attorney Grace Forbes argued that while Kerr’s words were indeed harsh, they did not constitute a criminal offence. She emphasized that there was no intent of racial animosity behind Kerr’s statements.
Forbes characterized the comments as reflections on power dynamics rather than hate speech.
The trail has garnered media attention, particularly in Australia, given Kerr’s prominence in women’s football.
The court heard that both Kerr and Mewis appeared intoxicated and emotional during their interaction with police. Mewis was reportedly seen crying during the incident.
As the trial continues, it will explore whether Kerr’s comments amounted to racially aggravated harassment under UK law. The maximum penalty for such an offence is 26 weeks imprisonment. The defence is expected to further challenge the prosecution’s claims in upcoming sessions.
Kerr remains a celebrated figure in women’s soccer, known for her accomplishments on the field, but this incident has cast a shadow over her career as she faces serious legal challenges.