Australian Soccer Captain, Who Claims To Fight Racism, Charged With Racially Harassing Police Officer

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Sometimes a headline really says it all. And this one certainly does that. Still, let's dig into the details of this crazy tale. London police charged the Australian soccer captain, Sam Kerr, with a racially-aggravated offense against an officer, according to several outlets. 

"The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer who was responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare on 30 January 2023 in Twickenham," a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said, according to the BBC. Kerr pleaded not guilty to the charge on Monday. 

Kerr is the captain of the Australian Women's National Soccer Team, and she also plays for the London-based club, Chelsea, in the Women's Super League – the women's equivalent to the men's English Premier League. 

Former NBA champion Andrew Bogut took to X to point out the irony in Kerr being charged with a racially-motivated crime. At the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Kerr and her teammates linked arms to "fight racism" … or something. 

It's unclear what prompted the "racially-motivated" charge against Kerr. However, according to an interview she gave to the BBC in August 2023, she commonly feels as though life is difficult as a "dark-skinned" person. 

Kerr was born in Australia to an Indian father and an Australian mother. 

"I’m really proud to be Indian and love my skin color and love my ‘Indian complexion,'" she told BBC in 2023. 

Sam Kerr (#2) and her Australian teammates link arms prior to an Olympics match against New Zealand. They claim that the gesture was for

Sam Kerr (#2) and her Australian teammates link arms prior to an Olympics match against New Zealand. They claim that the gesture was for "unity and togetherness for all Australian cultures and walks of life."

(Getty Images)

"I've listened to my nana and my dad’s stories about moving to Australia, feeling like outsiders, having to work their way into society at a time when it wasn’t very multicultural, and it’s taught me a lot," she continued. 

"It was hard for my dad to be accepted as a dark-skinned man in Australia. Listening to what they went through has really influenced who I am and taught me to accept people for who they are."

Sam Kerr (#2) and her Matildas teammates pose for a team photo with the Australian Aboriginal flag prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games match against New Zealand.

Sam Kerr (#2) and her Matildas teammates pose for a team photo with the Australian Aboriginal flag prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games match against New Zealand.

(Getty Images)

As stated, Kerr pleaded "not guilty" and we should let the legal process play out before making any judgments. However, police clearly felt they had enough evidence to at least pursue a charge of a racially-motivated crime. 

If Kerr is convicted, perhaps she should change her tune about "racism." Maybe she should be more clear that she really only cares about racism against certain people. 

Against others, perhaps she thinks it's OK or even encouraged. 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to Outkick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named “Brady” because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.