Chelsea forward Sam Kerr‘s legal team will attempt to have her criminal charge for racially aggravated harassment thrown out of court in an April hearing in London.
Kerr, 30, pleaded not guilty when appearing via videolink at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court on Monday. According to court documents shared with ESPN, a further hearing will take place on April 26 where “the defence will be arguing abuse of process.”
She was charged with causing a police officer harassment, alarm or distress during an incident in Twickenham, south west London, on Jan. 30 last year, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Should Kerr’s legal team be unsuccessful in the April hearing, then a trial is expected to take place in February next year — with two police officers scheduled to give evidence — and is due to last four days.
Kerr is one of Australia‘s best known and most recognisable figures. She the country’s all-time leading scorer in international football with 69 goals from 128 games and led the Matildas to the semifinals of last summer’s Women’s World Cup.
At club level, Kerr has played a similarly starring role, helping Chelsea to win the Women’s Super League title in each of her four season at the club so far.
She has also played club football in Australia and the United States.
Kerr is sidelined after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a warm-weather training camp with Chelsea women’s team in Morocco in January.
