Sam Kerr, the captain of Australia’s women’s football team, found herself in legal trouble following a night of celebrations after scoring a hat-trick for Chelsea. The incident occurred in the early hours of 30 January 2023, when Kerr and partner Kristie Mewis became involved in a dispute with a taxi driver over compensation for damage caused by vomit in the cab. The altercation escalated, leading Kerr to express fears about being kidnapped, which she conveyed to police officers when they arrived at the scene.
Jurors reviewed footage showing Kerr repeatedly calling an officer derogatory names, resulting in her arrest for racially aggravated abuse and criminal damage after she opted to contest the charges rather than pay for the damage. Kerr’s defence argued that her remarks were not racially motivated but rather reflected frustrations concerning power dynamics. Throughout the encounter, both Kerr and Mewis were described as emotional and in distress, citing concerns about safety, especially in the context of past abductions in London.
The court proceedings, which have attracted considerable media attention, are set to continue, with Kerr expected to testify. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 26 weeks in prison.