Sam Kerr denies using 'white' was an insult to police officer

Australian women's national soccer team captain Sam Kerr denied that calling a police officer "white" was intended as an insult while being questioned during her trial on racial harassment charges. Kerr maintained that she did not use the officer's skin color as a basis for insult during the altercation with police.

Kerr's trial entered its fourth day at Kingston Crown Court, following an incident on January 30, 2023, in London. It is alleged that Kerr and her partner, West Ham United midfielder Kristie Mewis, were taken to a police station by a taxi driver after they had been out drinking. The driver complained that the pair refused to pay a cleaning fee because one of them had vomited and that one of them had smashed the vehicle's rear window.

Kerr claimed she felt "trapped" during the taxi ride and feared for her safety. She allegedly abused and insulted police officer Stephen Lovell at the police station, calling him "stupid and white." Kerr admitted to making the remarks but denied that they constituted the charge.

Prosecutors questioned Kerr whether she used Lovell's "whiteness as an insult" during a heated argument with Lovell at the police station. Kerr replied, "No, I did not mean that." Kerr argued that Lovell abused his power and privilege to accuse her, which was the reason for her expressing dissatisfaction.

Kerr added, "I believe he was using his power and privilege to pressure me because he was accusing me of something I didn't do... What I was trying to articulate was that because of the power and privilege they have, they never have to understand what we had just been through and the fear for our lives." When asked if she thought Lovell was "stupid because he was white," Kerr replied, "No."

The court had previously heard that Kerr told police "this is a race... thing." When asked about these comments, Kerr said, "I think (they) treated me differently because of the color of my skin - specifically the actions of Officer Lovell." She added, "(It was) the way he responded to me, interrupting me, the way he called me by my name, and the dismissive attitude he showed me." Kerr also claimed that her perception was influenced by the different treatment she and Mewis received from the officers.