Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has spoken to the media for the first time since it was revealed captain and star forward Sam Kerr was facing criminal charges in the UK.
The coach said he was unaware of the charges Kerr was facing when Football Australia revealed the 30-year-old had He kept his accusation of racial harassment and his court appearance secret.
Kerr, Australia’s highest-profile athlete, appeared in court in London on Monday accused of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
Kerr has pleaded not guilty and will likely face another court hearing in February.
Chelsea and Matildas striker Sam Kerr accused of racially harassing a police officer
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said Kerr had kept the matter a secret from him and Football Australia since the alleged incident last January.
The Chelsea star is accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words which caused PC Lovell alarm or distress during an incident at Twickenham on January 30 last year.
Speaking to media in Sydney, Gustavsson confirmed that he had not been informed of the charges and that he found out this morning in the same way as everyone else.
“This morning, the first time I heard about this was this morning,” he said.
“I was informed this morning and obviously I was surprised and had some time to speak to the federation about it.
‘And as you know, the federation has issued a statement. Because it is a legal process, I need to refer to that statement.
‘Unfortunately I cannot comment more than that.
“But I can make it very clear that today was the first time I heard about it.”
Gustavsson was asked about Kerr’s character and whether the alleged crime was in line with his personality.
Kerr was charged on January 21 this year but did not disclose it, according to Gustavsson and Football Australia boss James Johnson.
“I can’t comment on the crime because it is a legal matter at this time,” he said.
‘The only thing I can comment on is my experience and my interactions with Sam, as a person, as a footballer.
“And I only have positive experiences from that.”
When asked if he would support Kerr during the process, Gustavsson assured Kerr that he would have his support.
“I think the FA was very clear on that as well, in terms of supporting our players on and off the field,” he said.
‘With the respect and sensitivity that is necessary. And I understand why there are a lot of questions about it.
‘Of course, as a human being, I will always support him.
Football Australia (FA) chief executive James Johnson said the federation also knew nothing about Sam Kerr’s charges in the UK.
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 to the news,” Johnson told reporters in Adelaide.
“And that’s when Football Australia learned of this disturbing development.
‘We are trying to get to the bottom of it at the moment.
‘We have our own questions we would like to know, we have to find out what really happened.
“But we also want to say that there is a process underway in the UK and that process must take its course.”
Kerr had already missed most of the FIFA Women’s World Cup through injury and was also ruled out of the Paris Olympics.
Kerr appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video link and spoke only to confirm his identity and plead not guilty, the Daily Mail reported.
Harassment convictions in the UK can include a sentence of up to two years in prison when the crime is racially or religiously aggravated.
The UK Metropolitan Police confirmed: ‘Samantha Kerr, aged 30 (10.09.93) from Richmond, was charged by postal search on 21 January with a racially aggravated offense under Section 4A of the Order Act 1986 Public.
“The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer responding to a complaint relating to a taxi fare on January 30, 2023 in Twickenham.”
In court, Judge Judith Elaine Coello was reported to have told Kerr’s lawyer, Grace Forbes: “I understand the defense is that she did not intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the officer; (her behavior) did not amounted to and was not racially aggravated.’
Kerr is currently recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, which is expected to sideline her from the Matildas’ campaign at this year’s Paris Olympics.