Sam Kerr Trial Concludes, Jurors Consider their Verdict.

February 10, 2025

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
IN THIS WEEK’S ROUND-UP...

  • Picks from the pitch: Our top five moments of the week

  • Latest headlines: Bunny Shaw targeted by racist abuse. Luis Rubiales on trial. Ted Lasso x Women’s team.

  • In focus: Sam Kerr’s trial comes to a close

  • What we’re watching: Our pick of the week’s upcoming matches

  • Jobs: New opportunities in football

⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

Our top five moments from this week’s action

  1. Mary Fowler got two goals, but her first strike against Arsenal in the Subway Cup got our vote. Side note - Miedema’s assist 👌.

  2. Chasity Grant squeezed Aston Villa’s third past Brighton in the FA Cup.

  3. Sara Holmgaar scored a brilliant Olimpico (goal scored directly from the corner), which caught Chelsea out big time.

  4. Sunderland’s Jenna Dear hit this impressive half volley in the FA Cup.

  5. Mia Enderby sealed Liverpool’s win late on with another volley.

RESULTS

Subway Women’s League Cup Semi-Final

The final will be live on the BBC, 15 March at 12:15.

Adobe Women's FA Cup fifth round

🔎 IN FOCUS

Sam Kerr trial nears its end

Chelsea and Matilda’s star striker, Sam Kerr, is on trial for racially aggravated harassment following a 2023 incident involving a big night out, being sick in a taxi and a dispute over the extra fare. Here’s a breakdown of the trial, the arguments, and potential consequences.

Why is Sam Kerr on trial?

  • The Incident: On January 30, 2023, Kerr and her partner Kristie Mewis were in a taxi after a night out. They claim the driver locked them in, drove erratically, and ignored their pleas to stop, prompting Mewis to break a window to escape.

  • Police Involvement: At Twickenham police station, Kerr allegedly called PC Stephen Lovell “stupid and white” after he doubted their claims of being “held hostage.”

  • Charges Filed: Initially, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) declined to prosecute based on Lovell’s first statement. However, a second statement submitted 10 months later led to charges of racially aggravated harassment.

Prosecution vs Defence

  • Prosecution’s Case: Prosecutors argued Kerr’s comment was racially hostile and left PC Lovell feeling “belittled and upset.” They compared it to calling someone “stupid and black,” emphasising that racial hostility is unlawful regardless of context.

  • Defence’s Case: Kerr admitted making the comment but denied racial intent, describing it as an emotional reaction to fear and frustration. Her lawyer argued the remark reflected anger over perceived power dynamics rather than racial hostility.

Key Evidence:

  • Body-cam footage showed Kerr using the phrase “stupid and white”.

  • Kerr testified she felt unsafe during the taxi ride and referenced past cases like Sarah Everard’s murder when explaining her fear.

  • The defence highlighted inconsistencies in Lovell’s statements, with his first statement omitting the alleged racial remark entirely.

What happens next?

  • Jury Deliberation: The jury will decide whether Kerr’s comment constitutes racially aggravated harassment based on her intent and its impact on PC Lovell.

  • Potential Sentencing: If convicted, Kerr faces up to 2 years in prison or a significant fine under UK law.

  • Career Impact: A guilty verdict could severely damage Kerr’s reputation, sponsorships, and career as one of football’s leading figures.

The defence makes its closing statements today (Monday 10 Feb), with the outcome and sentence expected on a later date.

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

🫶 Bunny Shaw made her comeback in the FA Cup (and scored) this weekend after suffering disgusting racist and misogynistic abuse following Man City’s WSL defeat at Arsenal last Sunday. As a result she had withdrawn from Man City’s midweek league cup clash with Arsenal to look after her mental wellbeing. 

🦖 talkSport co-host Shebahn Aherne has been praised for challenging Alan Brazil’s stale comments about Manchester United’s women’s team. Brazil said people ‘are not bothered’ and plans for the women’s team are ‘not that important compared to the bigger picture’... well, Alan, it turns out people do care about them and United’s ambition for them to win the WSL title by 2028.

🧑‍⚖️ The trial of former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales, who has been charged with sexual assault and coercion, began last week. Jenni Hermoso took to the stand and testified that the kiss he gave her at the 2023 World Cup Final was non-consensual, "stained one of the happiest days of [her] life" and left her feeling "overwhelmed". Her brother, Rafael Hermoso, claimed former coach Jorge Vilda warned of professional repercussions if she didn't support Rubiales. Teammates also testified about coercion attempts by Rubiales' associates. Vilda denies pressuring Hermoso.

⚽ Ella Toone has won January’s player of the month after an explosive start to the second half of the season. Sonia Bompastor was awarded manager of the month (the third time this season) and Vivianne Miedema got goal of the month for her top corner strike against Aston Villa. 

🎥 There’s a rumour that hit series Ted Lasso will return for a fourth season with the formation of AFC Richmond’s women’s team as the central plot. The idea was hinted at at the end of the last episode of season three, and it’s expected that filming will take place this summer.

📺 Prime Video has given a new NWSL docuseries, For the Win: NWSL, the go ahead. The four-part show takes fans behind the scenes of the 2024 NWSL playoffs and features some of its biggest stars. There’s no launch date yet, but it’ll be available worldwide and Prime members can watch for free.

💰The NWSL will create a $5m compensation fund for players who have experienced abuse after agreeing to a settlement which also requires the NWSL to implement policy reforms to increase player safety. Players alleged harassment and sexual misconduct back in 2021, and a 2022 investigation found ‘a culture of abuse’ in the NWSL which at the time, led to five head coaches leaving their club.

🔨 Portland is building a $150m sports complex to house Portland Thorns and the incoming WNBA team, the first time a football and basketball team have enjoyed joint facilities. Holistic training, recovery and wellness is the aim of the game, with state of the art performance and recovery facilities all in a spa-like setting.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

Our favourite reads this week…

👀 FAVE FINDS

Chelsea and Sweden keeper, Zećira Mušović, is expecting her first child with partner Alen Bibić. Chelsea, known for their creative announcement videos, didn’t disappoint, with a script that kept us guessing until the end.

🏆 UWCL

Quarter-Final draw

Whatever happens, we won’t see a Chelsea vs Barcelona final this year after the Champions League heavyweights were drawn on the same side of the bracket. Instead they could face off in the semi-finals, but they’d have to get past Manchester City and Wolfsburg first.

The quarter-finals will be played over two legs on 18-19 and 26-27 March. Check club websites for how to get tickets.

👟 KIT DROP

Girma and James rep Nike’s latest women’s boot drop

Nike has brought six female footballers (inc. Naomi Girma, Lauren James and Sophia Wilson) together to create the United Pack. There’s a shared colourway and the upper designs are inspired by shattered glass… because if you didn’t realise it yet, we’re all breaking into the next era of women’s football folks. Available now

The Champions League quarter finals are fast approaching and the knockout phase ball is ready to go. Inspired by the iconic patterns of Lisbon (host city of the final), The ball is stuffed with tech from flight stability, to improved grip, precision and swerve. 

Bay FC has launched its 2025/26 home kit and we love it. The design incorporates a dark blue base and poppy accent, with a flowing texture that represents the varied landscape, rolling fog and waters. The kit attempts to capture the essence of the Bay Area, strength, progress, and community. It’s not available just yet, but you can sign up to bag yours as soon as it’s out.

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming events

UEFA Women’s Nations League: England vs Spain
Wednesday 26 Feb, 20:00 KO
Wembley Stadium
Tickets are now on sale

Women’s Football Fair
Saturday 15 March 2025, 10:00-16:00, Doors 9:45, Edgbaston Park Hotel
Meet inspiring players, connect with other football fans, and explore a wide range of women’s football vendors including shirts, fan art, memorabilia, and more.
Tickets £5

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up.

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

Sunday 16th February 2025
WSL
12:00 - Manchester United vs Crystal Palace [MUTV, WSL YouTube]
12:30 - Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur [BBC Two, BBC iPlayer]
14:00 - Chelsea vs Everton [WSL YouTube]
15:00 - Leicester City vs Aston Villa [WSL YouTube]
15:00 - West Ham United vs Brighton & Hove Albion [WSL YouTube]
18:45 - Manchester City vs Liverpool [Sky Sports]

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

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