Sam Kerr and colour blind equal opportunity in sport

In an age of colourblind equal opportunity we are reminded that female sports stars can be just like their male equivalents and that racist remarks can cut both ways.

How else to process the fact that a white male British police officer has charged Australia’s women’s soccer captain, Sam Kerr, a lesbian with Indian heritage, with racist conduct after a night of celebration following a big win by her Chelsea team?

The incident, in which Kerr allegedly called the police officer “stupid” and “white” in a dispute over a taxi fare, is now before the courts, and Kerr’s legal team is hopeful charges can be dropped or downgraded before the case goes to trial. The case reflects the sensitivities of the times. For Kerr, there is a lot to play for. Plenty of sporting heroes have had their careers and reputations tarnished because of their off-field endeavours.

Rugby league’s racism row, meanwhile, has played out on the field. The NRL has been in uproar because Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu, from Samoa, called an opposing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander player, Ezra Mam, a “monkey” during a match in Las Vegas. Leniu has admitted his offence, apologised and will appear before the league judiciary to learn his fate. All up, it is the colourblind, zero-tolerance way of the modern world.