Sam Kerr kept charge of racially abusing police officer a secret from Football Australia and Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has spoken to the media for the first time since it was announced that skipper and star striker Sam Kerr is facing criminal charges in Britain.

The coach said he was unaware of the allegations Kerr faced when Football Australia revealed the 30-year-old had kept her charge of racial harassment and her appearance in court secret.

Kerr, Australia’s most famous sportswoman, was taken to court in London on Monday for racially abusing a police officer.

Kerr has entered a not guilty plea and will likely face another hearing in February.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said Kerr had kept the matter secret from him and Football Australia since the alleged incident last January.

The Chelsea star is accused of using abusive, threatening or insulting words that caused PC Lovell alarm or distress during an incident at Twickenham on January 30 last year.

Speaking to the media in Sydney, Gustavsson confirmed that he had not been informed of the allegations and that he found out about them this morning the same way everyone else did.

“I heard about it for the first time this morning,” he said.

‘I was informed this morning and was of course surprised and had some time to talk to the federation about it.

‘And as you know, the federation has issued a statement. Because it is a legal process, I have to refer to that statement.

‘Unfortunately I can’t say more than that.

“But I can make it very clear that today was the very first time I heard about it.”

Gustavsson was asked about Kerr’s character and whether the alleged crime was consistent with her personality.

Kerr was charged on January 21 this year, but did not announce it, according to Gustavsson and Football Australia boss James Johnson.

“I cannot comment on the violation as it is a legal matter at this time,” he said.

“The only thing I can comment on is my experiences and interactions with Sam, as a person, as a footballer.

‘And I have only had positive experiences with that.’

When asked if he would support Kerr during the proceedings, Gustavsson assured Kerr that she would have his support.

“I think FA was very clear about that too, in terms of supporting our players on and off the pitch,” he said.

‘With the respect and sensitivity that it is. And I understand why there are a lot of questions about it.

‘Of course, as a human being I will always support it.

Football Australia (FA) chief executive James Johnson said the federation also remained in the dark over Sam Kerr’s allegations in Britain

Kerr was charged on January 21 this year but did not inform Football Australia (FA), chief executive James Johnson said.

“I woke up this morning like everyone else did with the news,” Johnson told reporters in Adelaide.

“And then Football Australia heard about this disturbing event.

‘We are currently trying to get to the bottom of it.

‘We have our own questions that we would like to know, we need to find out what really happened.

“But we also want to say that there is a process going on in Britain and that process must be allowed to take its course.”

Kerr had already missed most of the Women’s World Cup through injury and has also been ruled out of the Paris Olympics

The Matildas captain faces an uncertain future at her club Chelsea. She is reportedly signing an in-principle extension of her stay, but will certainly face scrutiny due to her recent injury and legal charges.

Kerr appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video link and spoke only to confirm her identity and enter a not guilty plea, the Ny Breaking reported.

Convictions for harassment in Britain can include a prison sentence of up to two years if the offense is racially or religiously aggravated.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed: ‘Samantha Kerr, 30 (10.09.93) of Richmond was charged by postal charge on 21 January with a racially aggravated offense under Section 4A Public Order Act 1986.

‘The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer responding to a taxi fare complaint on January 30, 2023 in Twickenham.’

In court, Judge Judith Elaine Coello is said to have told Kerr’s lawyer, Grace Forbes: ‘My understanding is that the defense is that she did not intend to cause alarm, intimidation or distress to the officer, (her conduct) was not such earth. and it was not racially aggravated.”

Kerr is currently recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, which is expected to keep her out of the Matildas campaign at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.