LONDON: Chelsea and Australian women's football star Sam Kerr has been charged with a "racially aggravated offence" in Britain following a dispute involving a police officer, London's Metropolitan Police said Tuesday.
The 30-year-old striker, one of the highest profile and best-paid players in the women's game, was charged following an incident in London in January 2023, a police statement read.
The alleged dispute was sparked when a police officer responded to a "complaint involving a taxi fare", police added.
Kerr has already appeared before court in London, according to the statement. Police did not provide additional details on the incident or what transpired during the court proceeding.
Kerr is one of Australian football's most treasured figures. Last year she graced the cover of the FIFA video game alongside French superstar Kylian Mbappe.
She has been sidelined since January this year with a serious knee injury, a ruptured cruciate ligament.
Even before the charges were revealed, Kerr's injury had cast a shadow over her hopes of playing for Australia at this year's Paris Olympics which start in July.
Governing body Football Australia said it was "aware of the legal proceedings involving Sam Kerr in the United Kingdom."
"As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to provide further comment at this time," it said in a statement.
"Our focus remains on supporting all our players, both on and off the field. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as appropriate."
The Matildas captain has been credited with helping drive the booming popularity of the women's game – both in her native Australia and further abroad.
Born to an Anglo-Indian father and Australian mother, Kerr played Australian Rules as a youngster and was convinced she would one day represent her beloved West Coast Eagles, like her elder brother.
She switched to football aged 12.
Kerr made her full international debut against Italy in 2009, a precocious talent aged just 15 at the time.
Known for her pace, agility and heading ability – as well as her trademark backflip goal celebrations – Kerr left for the United States in 2013.
She went first to Western New York Flash, then Sky Blue FC in New Jersey and finally Chicago Red Stars.
After moving to English heavyweights Chelsea in 2020, Kerr rose to a new level.
The 2023 Ballon d'Or runner-up scored the only goal in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Manchester United in last season's FA Cup final.
As her star has continued to rise over the years, Kerr has inked lucrative endorsement deals with the likes of Nike and Mastercard.
She has scored 99 goals in 128 career games for Chelsea.
In 2019, Kerr became the first Australian, man or woman, to score a hat-trick at a World Cup. --AFP