Samantha Kerr's court proceedings have been pushed back to next month after her defence requested more time to submit its arguments to have allegations she racially harassed a policeman thrown out. 

The footballer's lawyers had been due in court today to make an abuse of process application but the hearing was pushed back until May 20. 

His honour judge Davies, who is presiding over the case, told Kingston Crown Court: 'This was due to proceed today but the defence made an application to adjourn the abuse application and for the timetable to be reset.

'A revised timetable was set. The hearing today was vacated and the application has been listed on May 20.

'The defence skeleton is to be served by May 1 and the prosecution response by May 15.' Kerr did not appear in the southwest London court today, nor did any members of her legal team.

Sam Kerr's racial harassment court proceedings have been delayed after a request from her defence

The superstar Chelsea forward has been accused of calling a Metropolitan Police officer a 'stupid white PC' after he was called to a dispute between the footballer and a taxi driver following a night out in Twickenham, southwest London. A source said she is accused of vomiting in the taxi during the evening, which came after Kerr scored a hat-trick against Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Mail exclusively revealed that the 30-year-old was charged with racially aggravated harassment towards PC Lovell and entered a not guilty plea on March 4. 

A four-day trial is provisionally scheduled for February 2025. 

The Matildas captain first appeared at Kingston Crown Court via videolink, and spoke only to confirm her identity and to enter a not guilty plea to the charge. 

Judge Judith Elaine Coello said it was understood that the footballer's defence would be that her intention was not to upset the policeman during the incident on January 30, 2023.

'I understand that the defence is that she didn't intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the officer, [her behaviour] did not amount to it and it was not racially aggravated,' the judge asked Kerr's barrister, Grace Forbes. 

But it is understood Kerr's defence is attempting to make an abuse of process application to have the case thrown out. 

If the trial goes ahead it is likely to hear evidence from PC Lovell, with jurors expected to be shown bodyworn footage of the incident.

Kerr’s hearing will take place five days before the women’s Champions League final, which Chelsea hope to reach should they overcome Barcelona in the semi-final second leg tomorrow.

The Blues go into the tie with a 1-0 aggregate advantage thanks to a goal from Erin Cuthbert in the first leg in Spain last Saturday.