Soccer Star Sam Kerr Not Guilty in Racial Harassment Case

Soccer star Sam Kerr was acquitted on Tuesday of racially aggravated harassment charges involving a London police officer, concluding a trial and sparking discussions about her future as captain of the Australian national team. Kerr, a striker for both Australia and British team Chelsea, called Police Constable Stephen Lovell "stupid and white" during an incident at a London police station following a night out with her fiancé, US soccer player Kristie Mewis. A taxi driver had dropped them off at the police station, complaining that one of them had been sick and they were refusing to pay cleaning costs. The altercation with Lovell ensued.

The jury acquitted her after a seven-day trial at Kingston Crown Court, with Judge Peter Lodder saying, "I take the view her own behavior contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation. I don't go behind the jury's verdict but that has a significant bearing on the question of costs." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)