Sam Kerr trial: Chelsea star learns final verdict in racial harassment case after calling police officer 'stupid and white'

Kerr has been found not guilty of intentionally causing “racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress” to Metropolitan Police Officer PC Stephen Lovell in an incident in south-west London on January 30, 2023. A jury delivered the verdict on Wednesday after a seven-day trial at Kingston Crown Court.

The incident followed a night out Kerr had been on with her USWNT fiancee Kristie Mewis. As per the BBC, a taxi driver took the couple to Twickenham police station and complained that they had refused to pay clean-up costs for vomit in the cab and that one of them had smashed the vehicle's rear window.

Kerr allegedly became abusive while in the station, and during the trial the court was shown bodycam footage in which she was heard saying to PC Lovell: "You guys are f*cking stupid and white. Honestly, you guys are f*cking stupid and white. I’m looking you in the eyes, you guys are f*cking stupid. I’m f*cking over this sh*t."

Judge Peter Lodder KC said after the verdict: "I take the view 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."

During the trial, Kerr expressed remorse over her choice of words, but denied suggesting PC Lovell was "stupid because he was white". She added: "I believed it was him using his power and privilege over me because he was accusing me of being something I'm not. I was trying to express that due to the power and privilege they had, they would never have to understand what we had just gone through and the fear we were having for our lives."

Kerr has been out of action since January 2024 due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor has previously said Kerr could return by the end of February or early March, but the Australian striker will need time to gradually build up match fitness again after such a lengthy period on the sidelines.