Australian football star Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment in a UK court, ending a legal saga that has divided opinion and raised questions about privilege, race, and accountability in professional sport.
Kerr, currently recovering from an ACL injury, expressed relief at the verdict, writing on social media:
“Following today’s not guilty verdict, I can finally put this challenging period behind me. While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury agreed.”
The Matildas captain faced trial at Kingston Crown Court in London over allegations she directed a racially aggravated insult at a police officer following a night out in 2023.
The charge centred on four words Kerr admitted saying—”f***ing stupid and white”—but the jury found that her remark did not meet the threshold of criminality.
Kerr’s trial, unfolding over the past week, became a flashpoint in broader racial and cultural debates, with supporters and critics interpreting the case through vastly different lenses. While her defenders pointed to the frightening circumstances leading up to the incident—a taxi ride that left Kerr and her partner, fellow footballer Kristie Mewis, feeling unsafe—others viewed her conduct as emblematic of an entitled athlete behaving poorly.
It is reported that the altercation began when Kerr, feeling unwell after leaving a London nightclub, vomited in a taxi. She claimed the driver became aggressive and began driving recklessly, leaving her terrified and fearing for her safety. When the cab arrived at Twickenham police station, officers reportedly dismissed her concerns. Kerr later told the court she believed she was treated differently “because of the colour of my skin.” The situation escalated when police detained Kerr, leading to the remarks at the centre of the trial.
The prosecution argued that Kerr’s comment constituted racial hostility towards the officer, who later described feeling “shocked and humiliated.” However, the jury was not convinced, particularly after it emerged that the officer did not initially report the comment—only including it in a statement 11 months later.
The Metropolitan Police defended their handling of the case, stating:
“Our officers perform a challenging job and are often subjected to various forms of abuse as they discharge their duty. We respect the jury’s verdict.”
Justice Peter Lodder, who presided over the case, acknowledged that while Kerr had been cleared, her behaviour on the night had “contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation.”
Last year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had also defended Matildas star Sam Kerr amid allegations of racial abuse against a London police officer. Speaking at ASEAN, he declined to comment on the legal case but praised Kerr as an inspiring Australian. He highlighted her role as Australia’s flag bearer at the coronation, describing his interactions with her as exemplary and delightful.
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