Sam Kerr: Emma Hayes breaks silence on Chelsea star’s ordeal after Matilda captain was accused of allegedly racist harassment of a police officer

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has given her ‘full support’ to Sam Kerr as she addressed her superstar striker’s trial on Wednesday.

On Monday evening, the Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Kerr will face a criminal trial in February next year after being accused of racially abusing a police officer.

The 2018 Young Australian of the Year will seek to have the charges, which arose from an alleged dispute over a taxi fare, dismissed out of court.

It later emerged that Kerr had called PC Lovell a ‘stupid white PC’ and threw up in the taxi.

And speaking to the media ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming match against Manchester City, Hayes said the club fully supports the 30-year-old.

“Sam has our full support, she knows that,” she said. ‘It’s a difficult time for her. Of course I can’t comment, you know that.

Asked if she was aware of the criminal proceedings before Monday’s news broke, Hayes said: “I cI say that I know she has pleaded not guilty and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize anything for Sam by talking about it. For that reason, I am sure you can understand that this is all I am going to say on this matter.

“But she has our full support, she knows that. It is very important that I convey that, it is something that I really appreciate.’

This development adds to a frustrating year for Kerr, who has been sidelined due to injury. Hayes said everyone at the London club is supportive.

“There are tough moments, tough times and that’s what my role is at this football club, to make sure I look after our people,” she added. I want to make it clear that Sam will be supported by me and everyone else.”

Hayes’ comments come after Football Australia and Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson revealed they knew nothing about the Twickenham incident.

Speaking to media in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon, Gustavsson confirmed he had not been informed of the allegations before the news broke that morning.

“I heard about it for the first time this morning,” he said.

‘I was informed this morning and was obviously surprised and had some time to talk to the federation [Football Australia] about the.

‘And as you know, the federation has issued a statement. Because it is a legal process, I have to refer to that statement.

‘Unfortunately I can’t say more than that.

“But I can make it very clear that today was the very first time I heard about it.”

Gustavsson was asked about Kerr’s character and whether the alleged crime was consistent with her personality.

“I cannot comment on the violation as it is a legal matter at this time,” he said.

“All I can say is [on] is my experience and interaction with Sam, as a person, as a football player.

‘And I have only had positive experiences with that.’

When asked if he would support Kerr during the proceedings, Gustavsson gave a blunt answer.

“I think FA was very clear about that too, in terms of supporting our players on and off the pitch,” he said.

‘With the respect and sensitivity that it is. And I understand why there are a lot of questions about it.

‘Of course, as a human being I will always support it [her].’

Kerr was charged on January 21 this year but did not inform Football Australia (FA), chief executive James Johnson said.

“I woke up this morning like everyone else did with the news,” Johnson told reporters in Adelaide.

“And then Football Australia heard about this disturbing event.

‘We are currently trying to get to the bottom of it.

‘We have our own questions that we would like to know, we need to find out what really happened.

“But we also want to say that there is a process going on in Britain and that process must take its course.”