Australian soccer star Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of the racially aggravated harassment of a British police officer.
During a time of heated exchange at a police station after a night out, Kerr, who plays for the Matildas and Chelsea, admitted to referring to Police Constable Stephen Lovell as “stupid and white.” However, she has denied that this action constitutes the charge against her.
The verdict came about 2pm on Tuesday (1am on Wednesday AEDT), the seventh day of the trial at Kingston Crown Court in London.
Throughout the ongoing court proceedings, the taxi driver involved has opted to remain anonymous and has not been summoned to provide testimony as a witness.
Kerr, a white Anglo-Indian, asserted in court that she felt the police were treating her unfairly due to their perception of her skin color.
After the jury reached its verdict, Judge Peter Lodder said of Kerr: “I take the view [that] her own behaviour contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation. I don’t go behind the jury’s verdict but that has a significant bearing on the question of costs.”
Kerr is the captain and all-time leading scorer for Australia’s women’s team with 69 goals since her debut in 2009.
James Johnson, head of Australia’s Football Association, last week declined to comment on how Kerr’s return to the national team will be handled.
“We understand that there will be some disappointment out there (from fans), but what we would ask is that we all wait out,” Johnson said.
“What we need to do is give Sam the opportunity to go through the trial.
“Once we complete the trial, then we’ll have a holistic view of what’s happened.”
Kerr joined Chelsea in 2019 and has scored 99 goals in 128 games for the London club, which is the defending English champion and a top contender for the Women’s Champions League title this season.
She hasn’t played since sustaining an ACL injury in January 2024, during a warm-weather training camp with Chelsea in Morocco.
Kerr is expected to return in the coming weeks, in time to play for Australia in a pair of international friendlies against South Korea in April in the lead-up to the 2026 AFC Asian Cup. 
