A previous version of the headline erroneously referred to Samantha Kerr "spending [a] night in custody." We understand that, in fact, Ms Kerr spent time in custody on the night of the incident. We are happy to set the record straight.
Chelsea Women forward Sam Kerr was detained and spent time in a holding cell on the night of her alleged altercation with a police officer, according to new details.
The Australia skipper, widely regarded as one of the world's best players, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of racial harassment of an officer after an incident which occurred in Twickenham in January last year. At 3am on the night in question after Kerr had scored a hat-trick in Chelsea's 3-2 victory over Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup, Kerr allegedly vomited in a taxi, was involved in a dispute about the taxi fare and allegedly called an attending police officer a “stupid white b******”.
Kerr, who is currently sidelined by a long-term knee injury, appeared at Kingston Crown Court on 4 March via video link to issue her plea. And new details of the 2023 incident have now emerged with documents from Kerr's court appearance detailing that the 30-year-old was detained and spent time in a holding cell, according to The Australian. Reports claim that Kerr was placed in a police custody suite inside a police station and was interviewed during that time.
The trial is expected to get underway in February, 2025 and is due to last four days with two police officers to give evidence. If found guilty Ms Kerr could face up to six months jail or an unlimited fine.
On Thursday, Kerr posted on social media for the first time since news of the allegations broke. The WSL title winner shared details of Friday night's highly-anticipated London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Kerr joined Chelsea in 2019 and has scored 99 goals in 128 games. She has won four Women's Super League titles, three FA Cups and a pair of League Cups. Last month she agreed a contract extension but has already ruled out of the remainder of this season's Super League and the summer's Olympic Games in Paris due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
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