Peter FitzSimons has called on Football Australia to remove Sam Kerr as Matildas captain after she was accused of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
Kerr, 30, allegedly called a police officer a “stupid white PC” during a drunken night out in Twickenham, London, in January 2023.
The soccer superstar has pleaded not guilty to the charge and a four-day trial has been set for February next year.
The alleged incident was sparked by a dispute over a taxi fare before Kerr allegedly used insulting, threatening or abusive words which caused alarm or distress to PC (police constable) Lovell.
FitzSimons addressed the allegations in an op-ed in the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday, where he said that if Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins had been charged with the same offence, he would have been dropped immediately.
Sam Kerr, 30, allegedly called a police officer a “stupid white PC” during a drunken night out in Twickenham, London, in January 2023.
‘She can come back from this. But right now the FA must stop it, while the rest of us – in the absence of any explanation from Kerr – must stare in incomprehensible amazement at how this happened,” she wrote.
The former Wallaby stated that captaining a national team is a “very important ambassadorial role” that can only be played by athletes who represent national values and who “enjoy the full confidence of their sports federation.”
“At this time, none of the conditions are met,” FitzSimons said.
‘As for enjoying the trust of the sweet FA, how can they leave it aside? She’s known about these charges for six weeks and she didn’t tell them anything, allowing them to be dismissed completely.’
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson revealed on Tuesday that he was unaware of the alleged incident involving his captain, as was Football Australia, until it became public.
A prominent Australian sports agent previously told Daily Mail Australia that Kerr’s failure to tell the FA about the allegations could be a breach of his contract.
In the first half of his article, FitzSimons talked about how, among the top 100 athletes in Australia today, Kerr would have been the sports star least likely to be charged with such a crime.
Peter FitzSimons has called on Football Australia to remove Sam Kerr as Matildas captain after she was accused of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
Kerr is seen with his fiancee Kristie Mewis
He said that because he was gay, of ethnic background and competing in a diverse sport like football, he was “less likely to have a blue with a taxi driver”.
FitzSimons asked Kerr to give him an account of what happened, if she was legally able to do so, so that her Australian fans at home can “have a clue”.
He said the Matildas star’s reputation would now “remain under a cloud”.
Kerr has been charged with intentionally causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress to the male PC under section 31(1)(b) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
If convicted next year, the Australia captain faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
Kerr was summoned by postal requisition to appear for the first time at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on February 1. The case was then referred to Kingston Crown Court.
He was wearing a white T-shirt under a black suit jacket when he appeared via video link, speaking only to confirm his identity and plead not guilty to the charge.
Kerr was told she was required to attend a four-day trial, scheduled for next February, during which two police officers are expected to testify.
A hearing is scheduled for April 26 at which his defense is expected to try to dismiss the case, alleging abuse of process.
Judge Judith Elaine Coello said she understood Kerr’s defense would be that he did not intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the police officer and that his insult was not racially motivated.
Kerr was summoned by postal requisition to appear for the first time at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on February 1. The case was then referred to Kingston Crown Court.