Sam Kerr Acquitted of Racial Abuse Charges After Controversial Incident

LONDON, Feb. 11, 2025 — Australian soccer star Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment following a trial at Kingston Crown Court that concluded on Tuesday. Kerr, 31, was charged after an incident involving a taxi driver and police in southwest London on January 30, 2023.

The charges stemmed from a night out with U.S. international Kristie Mewis, who is Kerr’s fiancée. The couple had hailed a taxi to return to Kerr’s home in Richmond but ended up at Twickenham Police Station after allegations that they had refused to pay for damages to the cab.

During the altercation, the driver called police after alleging that one of them had vomited in the vehicle and that Mewis had broken the rear window. In her defense, Kerr admitted to calling officer Stephen Lovell “stupid and white” but denied that her words constituted harassment.

Kerr’s lawyer, Grace Forbes, argued that Kerr’s comments reflected feelings of being treated unfairly and that they were a critique of power dynamics rather than a racial slur. Kerr testified she felt the police responded differently to her due to the color of her skin, emphasizing her Indian ancestry.

The jury took approximately four hours to deliberate before acquitting Kerr. As the verdict was read, she remained composed, showing no emotion in the dock. Following the verdict, Kerr gave a thumbs-up to her legal team. Forbes indicated that she would seek to recover costs associated with the trial, with Judge Peter Lodder acknowledging that Kerr’s behavior influenced the bringing of the charges.

During testimony, Kerr explained how the taxi driver began driving erratically after she became ill, leading them to feel as if they were being held hostage. Meanwhile, Lovell recounted being upset by Kerr’s comments but denied any intention of influencing the case. This high-profile trial has prompted extensive media coverage in Australia, raising questions about Kerr’s future as the captain of the national team.

Kerr, who has an impressive record as the top goal scorer for Australia, has not played since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury while training in Morocco in January 2024. She is expected to return for international friendlies against South Korea in April, ahead of the 2026 AFC Asian Cup.

James Johnson, head of Australia’s Football Association, stated it was essential to respect Kerr’s situation and give her sufficient time to process the trial. The legal proceedings have sparked a broader debate on issues related to race, privilege, and power within law enforcement, especially considering the emotional context of the incident, which parallels concerns noted in society.