Chelsea women’s boss Emma Hayes throws support behind Sam Kerr

Sam Kerr’s UK club Chelsea has broken its silence on her legal case - hours after details of an alleged racial slur were reported.

Chelsea women’s boss Emma Hayes says the club have given their “full support” to Sam Kerr after the Australia striker pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

Kerr was charged with causing a police officer harassment, alarm or distress during an incident in south-west London on January 30 last year, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

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Kerr denied the charge at a plea and trial preparation hearing at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court on Monday.

“Sam has our full support. She knows that. It’s a difficult time for her,” Hayes said on Wednesday.

“Of course I can’t comment, you know that. I can say I know she’s pleaded not guilty and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardise anything for Sam by speaking about it.

“For that reason, I’m sure you can appreciate that’s all I’m going to say on the matter, but she has our full support, she knows that, it’s really important I get that across. It’s something I really value.”

Chelsea and Australian women's football star Sam Kerr. Photo by IZHAR KHAN / AFP

The alleged incident occurred before last year’s World Cup, which was held in Australia and New Zealand, but was not publicly disclosed until now.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the incident involved an officer who was responding to a complaint about a taxi fare.

On Wednesday night (AEDT) it emerged Kerr had allegedly called the police officer in question a “stupid white bastard” according to The Sun.

Kerr is expected to face trial in February 2025.

Emma Hayes, Manager of Chelsea, has given her response to the Sam Kerr incident. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Football Australia CEO James Johnson called the allegation “unsettling” and “very serious”.

“There’s difficult moments, tough times, and that’s what my role is at this football club, to make sure I look after our people, and I want to make it clear that Sam will be supported by me and everybody else,” Hayes said.

Kerr is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in January during Chelsea’s training camp in Morocco.

The 30-year-old, born to an Anglo-Indian father and Australian mother, is a popular figure in Australia and one of the most famous players in women’s football.