Kerr has Chelsea's 'full support,' says coach Hayes

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Chelsea girls’s boss Emma Hayes says the membership have given their “full help” to Sam Kerr after the Australia striker pleaded not responsible to racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

Kerr was charged with inflicting a police officer harassment, alarm or misery throughout an incident in south-west London on January 30 final 12 months, in response to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Kerr denied the cost at a plea and trial preparation listening to at Kingston upon Thames Crown Courtroom on Monday.

“Sam has our full help. She is aware of that. It is a troublesome time for her,” Hayes mentioned on Wednesday.

“In fact I am unable to remark, you recognize that. I can say I do know she’s pleaded not responsible and I do not need to do something to jeopardise something for Sam by talking about it.

“For that motive, I am certain you possibly can admire that is all I’ll say on the matter, however she has our full help, she is aware of that, it is actually essential I get that throughout. It is one thing I actually worth.”

The alleged incident occurred earlier than final 12 months’s World Cup, which was held in Australia and New Zealand, however was not publicly disclosed till now.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson mentioned the incident concerned an officer who was responding to a grievance a few taxi fare.

Kerr is anticipated to face trial in February 2025.

Soccer Australia CEO James Johnson known as the allegation “unsettling” and “very critical”.

“There’s troublesome moments, robust occasions, and that is what my function is at this soccer membership, to ensure I take care of our folks, and I need to make it clear that Sam shall be supported by me and all people else,” Hayes mentioned.

Kerr is presently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament damage suffered in January throughout Chelsea’s coaching camp in Morocco.

The 30-year-old, born to an Anglo-Indian father and Australian mom, is a well-liked determine in Australia and one of the well-known gamers in girls’s soccer.