Sam Kerr: Football Australia says it was blindsided by player’s UK harassment charge and court appearance

Matildas captain has pleaded not guilty in a London court

BLINDSIDED: Australia's captain Sam Kerr, right, and head coach Tony Gustavsson ahead of their opening Women's World Cup soccer match against Ireland. Pic: AP Photo/Rick Rycroft

Football Australia and Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson say they were blindsided by an allegation of racially aggravated harassment made in the UK against Australian captain Sam Kerr, and only found out about the charge on Tuesday morning.

The striker appeared in court on Monday in the UK and pleaded not guilty to charges of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to a police officer in an incident in January 2023.