Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has stated that striker Sam Kerr’s apology is sufficient, and the club will not be imposing any disciplinary measures following her recent court case.
Kerr, who is currently sidelined due to injury, was acquitted of racially aggravated harassment charges after referring to a Metropolitan Police officer as “stupid and white” during an incident in Twickenham on January 30, 2023.
Following the incident, the 31-year-old issued an apology, acknowledging that she had expressed herself poorly during what she described as a traumatic evening.
Bompastor expressed, “Sam has issued a statement, she has apologized, and I believe that is sufficient.
“Everyone is capable of making mistakes, and it is through such experiences that we learn and grow.
“The challenges she faced last week were already difficult, so our primary focus as a club is to offer her our full support.”
Kerr, who has scored 95 goals in 122 appearances for Chelsea since joining in 2019, has been sidelined since sustaining a severe knee injury during a training camp in January 2024.
Bompastor noted that it is “challenging to provide a precise timeline” for Kerr’s return to action, but she emphasized that the player is making good progress in training.
The court case revealed that Kerr and her partner Kristie Mewis were taken to Twickenham Police Station by a taxi driver who alleged that they had refused to cover cleaning expenses after Kerr vomited, and Mewis had broken the rear window of the vehicle.
During a heated exchange, Kerr, fearing for their safety, directed offensive language towards one of the police officers, referring to them as “stupid and white.”
Kerr did not contest using the words “stupid and white,” but she denied that it constituted a racially motivated offense.
Bompastor remarked, “The person described in court and in the media is not the same person we know.
“Sam is an introverted individual who simply wants to live her life quietly. She is not one to seek the spotlight or attention.”
Having maintained contact with Kerr throughout the trial, Bompastor added, “We understand her better than anyone else, along with her family.
“It was heartbreaking to witness her ordeal. We are like a family, offering unwavering support, and I am relieved that the outcome was favorable, allowing her to move forward.”