Chelsea Women manager Sonia Bompastor has come out in full support of star striker Sam Kerr following her acquittal on a charge of racially aggravated harassment. The Australian international had been on trial at Kingston Crown Court over an incident that occurred in January 2023 involving a police officer.
In a press conference on Thursday, Bompastor said that Kerr’s apology statement released after the verdict was “enough” and that the club stands firmly behind the 31-year-old. The Blues boss emphasized that the incident does not reflect Kerr’s true character.
Sam made a statement, she apologised and I think that is enough. Everyone can make mistakes and that’s what you learn from and that’s how you move forward.
– Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea Women manager
A Turbulent Trial
Over the course of last week, Kerr and her partner, United States midfielder Kristie Mewis, faced trial over an allegedly drunken dispute with a cab driver that ended in a southwest London police station. It was there that Kerr, who is of Indian ancestry, allegedly called the police officer “stupid and white.”
While Kerr accepted using those words, she denied the charge of racially aggravated harassment. After presenting her case, a jury at Kingston Crown Court acquitted the Australian captain of all charges on Tuesday.
Kerr’s Statement
Following the verdict, Kerr released a public statement apologizing for her behavior on what she described as a “traumatic evening.” However, she maintained that there was never any intention to “insult or harm anyone.”
I am not a racist…I would never intentionally say something to a police officer – or anyone – that would insult or harm them in any way.
– Sam Kerr, in her public apology
Bompastor’s Backing
Sonia Bompastor made it clear that the club fully supports their star player. She painted a very different picture of Kerr from what emerged in the courtroom, describing the usually “shy” striker as someone who prefers to avoid the limelight.
- Bompastor on Kerr’s character: “Who she is doesn’t reflect what I heard in the court and what I was reading in the newspapers.”
- On the difficulty of the trial: “It was difficult to see her in that situation. We are family and we were really supporting.”
The Chelsea manager expressed relief at the outcome of the trial and said she is “really glad the verdict was positive” so that Kerr can now “move forward.” The Australian striker is expected to return to action with Chelsea as they continue their chase of the FA Women’s Super League title.
What’s Next for Kerr?
With the legal troubles behind her, Sam Kerr will be eager to get back to doing what she does best – scoring goals and leading Chelsea to more trophies. The Blues currently sit atop the WSL table and have their sights set on defending their title.
On the international front, Kerr will soon shift focus to the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup where she is set to captain the Matildas on home soil. Australia is co-hosting the tournament with New Zealand and expectations are high for Kerr to deliver a memorable performance.
For now though, Kerr will undoubtedly be relieved to put this chapter behind her. With the unwavering support of her manager and club, she can concentrate on letting her football do the talking once again.
Only time will tell how this incident impacts Kerr’s legacy, but if Sonia Bompastor’s assessment is anything to go by, the Chelsea number 20 has the strength of character to bounce back stronger than ever. For the neutral fan, that can only be a good thing for the women’s game.
