Sam Kerr: NSW Premier Chris Minns says soccer superstar’s alleged comments were not racist
NSW Premier Chris Minns and his health minister both say they do not believe soccer superstar Sam Kerr’s alleged comments towards a London police officer are racist.
Mr Minns was asked this morning if the term “stupid white bastard”, which Kerr is accused of using towards the officer after a dispute over a taxi fare, was racist.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the Premier responded with a single-word answer: “No.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.NSW Health Minister Ryan Park agreed when asked the same question.
“I’ve been called a lot worse, so no,” he said.
The comments come as Kerr’s Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said the Aussie sporting legend had the “full support” of the club.
Kerr pleaded not guilty to a charge of racially aggravated harassment, causing alarm or distress to a police officer during the incident in Twickenham, south-west London, in January last year.
The Matildas striker reportedly vomited inside the taxi while on a night out with friends, before aiming the alleged insult at one of two police officers at the scene.
“Yes, it’s a difficult time for her. Of course, I can’t comment (about the case). What I can say is that I know she’s pleaded not guilty, and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardise anything for Sam by speaking about it,” Hayes said.
“And for that reason, I’m sure you can appreciate that’s all I’m going to say on the matter.
“But she has our full support and she knows that, and it’s really important I get that across. That’s something I really, really value.
“There’s difficult moments, tough times and that’s what my role is in this football club, it’s to make sure I look after our people, and I just want to be clear that Sam will be fully supported by me and everybody else at Chelsea.”
The charge, and the words Kerr allegedly used towards the office, have become the subject of intense debate online.
The Nightly columnist Kate Emery wrote that the alleged words should prompt relief among Matildas fans, saying it was not the same as a Caucasian person making similar comments to a person of colour.
Kerr was charged on January 21, almost a year after the incident in London was alleged to have occurred. The 30-year-old pleaded not guilty via video link at Kingston Crown Court on Monday.
Kerr is recovering amid a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Chelsea’s warm-weather training camp in Morocco.
She is scheduled to appear at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court in London on February 3 next year,
