Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has revealed Sam Kerr did not tell him she will face a criminal trial in England because the superstar striker had kept her racial harassment charge and court appearance a secret.

Kerr, Australia’s highest-profile sportswoman, faced a court in London on Monday charged with racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

The 30-year-old entered a not guilty plea and will face a four-day criminal trial next February.

Chelsea and Matildas striker Sam Kerr has been charged with racially harrassing a police officer in London after an alleged incident on January 30 last year

Chelsea and Matildas striker Sam Kerr has been charged with racially harrassing a police officer in London after an alleged incident on January 30 last year

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said Kerr had kept the matter secret from him and Football Australia since the alleged incident last January

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said Kerr had kept the matter secret from him and Football Australia since the alleged incident last January

The Chelsea star is charged with using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to PC Lovell during an alleged incident in Twickenham, south-west London, on January 30 last year.

Speaking to media in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon, Gustavsson confirmed he had not been told about the charges before the news broke that morning.

‘This morning, first time I heard about it was this morning,’ he said.

‘I was informed this morning and obviously was surprised and had some time to talk to the federation [Football Australia] about it.

‘And as you know the federation have come out with a statement. Because it is a legal process, I need to refer to that statement.

‘Unfortunately I can’t comment more than that.

‘But I can make it very clear that today was the very first time I ever heard about it.’

Gustavsson was asked about Kerr’s character and if the alleged offence was in line with her personality.

Kerr was charged on January 21 this year but did not reveal that, according to Gustavsson and Football Australia boss James Johnson

Kerr was charged on January 21 this year but did not reveal that, according to Gustavsson and Football Australia boss James Johnson 

‘I can’t comment on the offence because it’s a legal matter at this point,’ he said.

‘The only thing I can comment [on] is my experience and interactions with Sam, as a person, as a footballer.

‘And I have only positive experiences from that.’

When asked if he would support Kerr through the proceedings, Gustavsson offered a blunt reply.

‘I think FA was very clear on that as well, in terms of supporting our players on and off the field,’ he said.

‘With the respect and the sensitivity that it is. And I understand why there’s a lot of questions about it.

‘Of course I will as a human being always support.

Football Australia (FA) chief executive James Johnson (pictured) said the body was also kept in the dark over Sam Kerr's charges

Football Australia (FA) chief executive James Johnson (pictured) said the body was also kept in the dark over Sam Kerr’s charges 

Kerr was charged on January 21 this year but didn’t inform Football Australia (FA), chief executive James Johnson said.

‘I woke up this morning like everyone else did to the news,’ Johnson told reporters in Adelaide.

‘And that is when Football Australia found out about this unsettling event.

‘We are trying to get to the bottom of it at the moment.

‘We have got our own questions that we’d like to know, we have got to find out what actually happened.

‘But we also want to say that there is a process that is underway in the United Kingdom and that process needs to run its course.’

The charge against Kerr comes after she picked up a serious knee injury that has all but ruled her out of playing at the Paris Olympics

The charge against Kerr comes after she picked up a serious knee injury that has all but ruled her out of playing at the Paris Olympics 

The Matildas captain could face an uncertain future at her club Chelsea, with the club yet to make a statement on the situation

The Matildas captain could face an uncertain future at her club Chelsea, with the club yet to make a statement on the situation

Kerr appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video-link and spoke only to confirm her identity and to enter a not guilty plea.

Harassment convictions in the UK can include a sentence of up to two years in custody when the offence is racially or religiously aggravated.

The UK’s Metropolitan Police confirmed: ‘Samantha Kerr, 30 (10.09.93) of Richmond was charged via postal charge requisition on 21 January with a racially aggravated offence under Section 4A Public Order Act 1986.

‘The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer who was responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare on 30 January 2023 in Twickenham.’

In court, Judge Judith Elaine Coello was reported to have said to Kerr’s barrister, Grace Forbes: ‘I understand that the defence is that she didn’t intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the officer, [her behaviour] did not amount to it and it was not racially aggravated.’

Kerr is currently recovering from knee reconstructive surgery, which is expected to sideline her from the Matildas’ campaign at this year’s Paris Olympics.



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Post source: Daily mail

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