- Jim Wilson has called Sam Kerr a “disgrace”
- Kerr has been accused of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer
- The Matildas were unaware of the alleged incident
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Veteran sports broadcaster Jim Wilson has shared his opinion on the Sam Kerr legal drama after the Matildas star’s court appearance rocked Australia on Tuesday.
Kerr, Australia’s highest-profile athlete, appeared in court in London on Monday accused of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
The 30-year-old man has pleaded not guilty and will face a four-day criminal trial next February.
The Chelsea star is accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words which caused PC Lovell alarm or distress during an alleged incident in Twickenham, south-west London, on January 30 last year.
The new development has surprised Australian sports fans, as well as the Matildas team; Coach Tony Gustavsson admitted that he was unaware of the incident before Tuesday’s news.
Sam Kerr has been branded a ‘disgrace’ by an Australian sports broadcaster
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said Kerr’s court case took him by surprise
“I was informed this morning and obviously I was surprised and had some time to speak to the federation (Football Australia) 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’s revelation has caused bewilderment among fans and pundits, with former Seven host Wilson weighing in on the new story.
“There is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty, but the cover-up is a disgrace on Sam Kerr’s part,” he tweeted.
‘If I were the boss @FootballAUS,He would be furious and read the riot booklet, end of story. The optics are horrible!’
Some fans following the case are wondering why the incident is only coming to light now, more than a year after it supposedly occurred.
One posted on X: ‘What’s up with the delay? Were charges filed months after the incident?
Jim Wilson says Football Australia should be ‘furious’ at Kerr
Another wrote: ‘She was charged in 2023 but faces trial in 2025? What is the reason for the long wait?
Journalist Tracey Holmes also posted about it, writing: ‘Many questions about the criminal charge against #Matildas captain #SamKerr for alleged racially aggravated harassment of a police officer; in the NRL they would have already retired it.
‘This happened in January 2023, who knew what and when?’