Sam Kerr is set to return to the pitch within a month after being found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer. The 31-year-old Australia captain is nearing a comeback for Chelsea following her long recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained during the club’s warm-weather training camp in January 2024. However, her return is not expected until after the international break at the end of the month.
Kerr has not played for Chelsea since December 2023, when she found the net in a 3-1 Champions League victory over Häcken. Before her injury, she was a key figure in the team, averaging 29 goals over the previous two seasons and securing the Women’s Super League (WSL) Golden Boot twice. Under former manager Emma Hayes, she played a crucial role in Chelsea’s dominance in domestic and European competitions.
Having resumed individual training in early January while in Portugal with the team, Kerr is now preparing to rejoin non-contact training. Chelsea remains in contention for multiple trophies this season, having secured a place in the League Cup final against Manchester City, reached the quarter-finals of both the Champions League and FA Cup, and established a commanding seven-point lead at the top of the WSL table.
The past four months have been particularly challenging for Kerr, both professionally and personally. In November, she faced a wave of homophobic abuse following the announcement that she and her partner, Kristie Mewis, are expecting their first child. Soon after, while attending the wedding of international teammates Emily van Egmond and Kat Thompson in New South Wales, she received the devastating news that her 90-year-old grandmother had been critically injured in a vehicle accident.
Following the conclusion of her court case at Kingston Crown Court, Kerr expressed relief at being able to move forward and shift her focus back to football. She acknowledged the difficulties of the past months but remained determined to return to the pitch as soon as possible.
“Following today’s not guilty verdict, I can finally put this challenging period behind me,” she said. “While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone, and I am thankful that the jury unanimously agreed.”
With her legal battle behind her and her rehabilitation progressing well, Kerr is looking ahead to an exciting year, eager to make her mark once again for Chelsea as they chase silverware on multiple fronts.
