Sam Kerr’s racial harassment court proceedings delayed until May 20 – five days before Chelsea’s potential Champions League Final – after her defence requests more time to submit arguments in bid to have case thrown out

Samantha Kerr’s court proceedings have been postponed until next month after her defense asked for more time to present her arguments to throw out allegations she racially harassed a police officer.

The footballer’s lawyers were due to appear in court today to file an abuse of process claim, but the hearing was postponed until May 20.

His Honor Judge Davies, who is presiding over the case, told Kingston Crown Court: ‘This was due to take place today but the defense has made an application to adjourn the abuse application and to reset the timetable.

‘A revised timetable was established. Today’s hearing has been canceled and the application has been listed for May 20.

“The defense skeleton must be served by May 1 and the prosecution response by May 15.” Kerr did not appear in court in south-west London today, nor did any members of her legal team.

Kerr, pictured with fiancée Kristie Anne Mewis, is accused of calling a Metropolitan Police officer a ‘stupid white cop’

The Chelsea and Australia forward has appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video link

The superstar Chelsea striker is accused of calling a Metropolitan Police officer a ‘stupid white cop’ after he was called to a dispute between the footballer and a taxi driver following a night out in Twickenham, south-west London. A source said she is accused of vomiting in the taxi that evening after Kerr scored a hat-trick against Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Mail exclusively revealed that the 30-year-old was charged with racially aggravated harassment against PC Lovell and entered a not guilty plea on March 4.

A four-day trial period is tentatively scheduled for February 2025.

The Matildas captain made her first appearance via videolink at Kingston Crown Court and spoke only to confirm her identity and enter a not guilty plea to the charges.

Judge Judith Elaine Coello said it was clear the footballer would defend that she did not intend to upset the police officer during the incident on January 30, 2023.

“I understand the defense is that she did not intend to worry, harass or harm the officer. [her behaviour] It was not and it was not racially aggravated,” the judge asked Kerr’s attorney, Grace Forbes.

But it is clear that Kerr’s defense is trying to abuse the process to have the case dismissed.

The judge said the footballer would defend that she did not mean to upset the police officer

It is clear that Kerr’s defense is trying to abuse the process to have the case dismissed

Kerr’s Chelsea could reach the Champions League final this weekend, which will take place five days after the procedure

If the trial goes ahead, it is likely to hear evidence from PC Lovell, with jurors expected to be shown body-worn footage of the incident.

Kerr’s hearing will take place five days before the Women’s Champions League final, which Chelsea will hope to reach if they beat Barcelona in the semi-finals tomorrow.

The Blues go into the tie with a 1-0 aggregate lead thanks to an Erin Cuthbert goal in the first leg in Spain last Saturday.