But this is not an academic debate about the definition of racism,it’s the shock makings of a criminal trial. Kerr will plead not guilty;her defence will be that she did not intend to cause alarm,harassment or distress to the police officer – that the alleged slur was not racially motivated.
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As soon as the story broke,it became fodder for an insatiable audience. The questions have been as rapid as they have been valid. What precisely did she do? Why did it take London’s Metropolitan Police 356 days to charge her? (It didn’t respond to my request for comment on this question.)
Why didn’t Kerr tell Football Australia chief James Johnson? Would Australia’s cricket captain,Pat Cummins,be afforded the same level of grace if he was accused of the same? No,he probably wouldn’t have got off that easily in the court of public opinion,which is an obvious double standard. (The reason Kerr chose not to tell her bosses remains a mystery for now,but it’s bitterly disappointing and something she will have to answer to.)
If Kerr’s lawyers have their way at an April 26 hearing,when they seek to have the case dismissed,citing an abuse of process,we may never know the full story. However,what the star striker is staring down the barrel of runs much deeper than upsetting her bosses in another timezone. With at least six lucrative endorsements,a renewed contract with Chelsea worth more than $600,000 a season,a children’s book series and her reputation at stake,a guilty verdict could represent financial and personal damage for the 30-year-old.
The Matildas brand,which relies heavily on Kerr,would suffer,sponsorships and endorsements could take a hit,and the governing body would be forced to make some tough decisions. Conversely,if Kerr is proved innocent,the darling of Australian sport is entitled to swift redemption – something that the rabid keyboard warriors and opinion-happy pundits should factor into their public views.
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By contrast,Kerr’s accusers at the Met Police are used to negative headlines and have been dogged by corruption claims since the 1970s. Just last year,anofficial report conducted by Louise Casey found the force to be guilty of “institutionalised racism,misogyny and homophobia”. Londoners were “scared” of the police and “public consent is broken”. And in September last year,at least1000 Met Police officers were suspended or put on restricted duties,with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitting it could take years to clean up the rot.
Not every cop is bent,you’ll say,but if this is the Met’s modus operandi,perhaps Kerr would have been just fine in the taxi on that January night if she was a straight,white housewife?
As it stands,Football Australia has the power to stand Kerr down in accordance with its code of conduct and ethics policy,but it has chosen to support her and is apparently giving her the benefit of the doubt.Chelsea FC is also backing its star striker.
Perhaps Football Australia has learnt from past mistakes? In 2009,Football Federation Australia stood down Sydney FC and Australian under-20s defenderSebastian Ryall after he was charged with engaging in a sex act with a 13-year-old girl. Ryall maintained his innocence,alleging he and the girl only ever kissed and that he believed she was 16. The charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence,but the damage had already been done,and fans continued to terrorise Ryall once he returned to football.
In a powerful book written by Ryall in 2019,he admitted to abusing drugs and alcohol,battling depression,and attempting suicide twice after being called a “rapist” and “paedophile”,even when his name had been cleared. His career was destroyed and he retired,aged just 28,in 2018.
A quick look at Kerr’s Instagram page will show you that people have already paid a visit to her comments section and branded her a “racist”.
So,while questions abound – what sanctions should apply to Kerr? – the answer,for now,is simple:none. Calls for her captaincy to be stripped are premature because no governing body,journalist,football club or fan is above the law,which dictates Kerr is innocent until proven guilty.
We have always held highly paid athletes to a superior moral standard,and likewise the police. Both are role models by virtue of their professions. Both,however,are prone to grievous mistakes. They are human,after all.
So,whichever way this house of cards falls,it will be monumental for Kerr,the game of football,and the English justice system. Long live the truth.
Lucy Zelic is an award-winning football journalist and television presenter.
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