Sam Kerr, the captain of the Matildas, testified during her trial for racially aggravated harassment, asserting that her use of the term “white” when addressing police officer Stephen Lovell was not intended as an insult. The incident in question occurred after an altercation in a taxi on January 30, 2023, where it was reported that Kerr and her partner, West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis, failed to settle clean-up fees following an incident involving their taxi.
During cross-examination, Kerr acknowledged that she had made disparaging remarks towards Lovell but rejected the notion that these comments were racially charged. She expressed that her intent was to highlight the perceived power imbalance, believing the police were unaware of her distress and fear during the situation.
Kerr insists her comments stemmed from a feeling of being treated differently due to her race, especially in contrast to how Mewis was treated. When confronted by prosecutors about her statements implying that Lovell’s race influenced his behaviour, Kerr denied such claims, maintaining that her response reflected her frustration with the conduct of law enforcement rather than any racial bias. The trial continues as both sides present their accounts of the events that transpired.