Sam Kerr’s lawyers seek to have racial abuse charge thrown out

Chelsea striker Sam Kerr's legal team will attempt to have his criminal charge of racist harassment dismissed at an April hearing in London.

Kerr, 30, pleaded not guilty when he appeared via video link at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court on Monday. According to court documents shared with ESPN, a new hearing will take place on April 26, when “the defense will claim an abuse of process.”

She was charged with causing harassment, alarm or distress to a police officer during an incident in Twickenham, southwest London, on January 30, 2023, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

If Kerr's legal team fails at the April hearing, a trial is expected to take place next February – with two police officers expected to testify – and is expected to last four days.

Kerr is one of Australia's most recognizable personalities. She is the country's all-time leading scorer in international football, with 69 goals in 128 matches. She led the Matildas to the semi-finals of last summer's Women's World Cup.

At club level, Kerr has played an equally important role, helping Chelsea win the Women's Super League title in each of her four seasons at the club so far.

She also played club soccer in Australia and the United States.

Kerr is out after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a hot weather training camp with the Chelsea women's team in Morocco in January.