Sam Kerr, the Australian football star, will not face disciplinary action from Chelsea after a lengthy court case concluded with a not guilty verdict regarding her alleged racially aggravated harassment of a police officer. Chelsea’s manager, Sonia Bompastor, affirmed the club’s support for the 31-year-old forward, who has been recovering from a severe knee injury for the past 13 months.
During the trial, footage was shown of Kerr’s arrest, where she was recorded calling a police officer “stupid and white.” She later apologised for her comments, describing the incident as traumatic. Despite her acquittal, there remains the possibility that Kerr could be sanctioned at either the club or national team level, particularly regarding her captaincy of the Matildas upon her return from injury.
Bompastor expressed her relief at the trial’s outcome and emphasised the club’s commitment to support Kerr through this challenging period. She noted that everyone makes mistakes and highlighted how important it is for Kerr to move forward positively. The Chelsea coach maintained she has been in close contact with Kerr throughout the ordeal and praised her character, asserting that the public perception contrasted sharply with the player they know. Kerr has not participated in matches since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in January of last year.