UK court trial begins this week for Matildas captain Sam Kerr

The Australian captain faces a five-day trial over allegations of the racially aggravated harassment of a London police officer in 2023.

Matildas captain Sam Kerr will face a long-awaited court trial in London on Monday over accusations of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer in 2023.

The 31-year-old was involved in an alleged incident more than two years ago after a dispute erupted with a police officer over a taxi fare.

Kerr, who has become one of Australia’s most recognisable female sporting stars, now faces a trial set down for five days at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court before Justice Peter Lodder KC.

It is likely to be followed closely by not just the Australian media but also the British press given Kerr’s successful career as a striker at the Women’s Super league club Chelsea.

Kerr has been charged with causing a police officer harassment, alarm or distress under Section 4A of the Public Order Act during an incident in Twickenham, southwest London, following the alleged incident on January 30, 2023.

She is required to attend the court trial for the full duration.

Matildas captain and Chelsea star footballer Sam Kerr pictured outside Kingston Crown Court on January 14. Photo: Jacquelin Magnay

Kerr had been out on the night of the incident with her partner Kristie Mews and the pair were returning home when the alleged dispute took place.

It is understood the police officer, identified as PC Lovell by authorities, was called to the scene of the dispute in Twickenham due to an argument Kerr was involved with over a disagreement relating to the taxi fare.

Australia's forward Sam Kerr celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup semi-final football match between Australia and England in Sydney. Picture Izhar Khan/AFP

Just hours earlier Kerr had scored a hat-trick during a FA Cup over Liverpool and it was reported that after her night out following her stellar performance on the field she vomited in the taxi before she was arrested and interviewed over the matter.

Kerr appeared in court on January 14 for a mention hearing and was represented by her British lawyer Grace Forbes.

She previously pleaded not guilty to the charge last year.

Sam Kerr with partner Kristie Mews. Picture: Instagram

When she left court last month she was accompanied by a man who appeared to be a security officer to help fend over the waiting media pack.

Kerr was repeatedly asked what happened on the night of the alleged incident but she declined to comment.

The Perth-born sporting star – who has Indian ancestry on her father’s side – signed with Chelsea in 2019 and last year she extended this with a penning another two-year contract that will keep her at the club until 2026.

Despite this she has been left on the sidelines as she continues to battle an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Kerr is expecting her first child later this year with her 33-year-old American fiancee Mews who is an experienced midfielder who plays for West Ham United.