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Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says Sam Kerr has the club’s “full support” after being charged with racially aggravated harassment of a London police officer.<\/span><\/p>\n The Australia captain is scheduled to appear at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court on 3 February 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n “Sam has our full support, she knows that,” said Hayes.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s a difficult time for her. Of course I can’t comment, you know that. I can say 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. <\/span><\/p>\n “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, she knows that, it’s really important I get that across, it’s something I really, really value. <\/span><\/p>\n “There’s difficult moments, tough times and that’s what my role is at this football club – to make sure I look after our people – and I want to make it clear that Sam will be supported by me and everybody else.”<\/span><\/p>\n Kerr was charged on 21 January this year “with a racially aggravated offence under Section 4A [of the] Public Order Act 1986”, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.<\/span><\/p>\n “The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer who was responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare on 30 January 2023 in Twickenham,” they added.<\/span><\/p>\n Kerr denied the charge at a plea and trial preparation hearing at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court on Monday.<\/span><\/p>\n