Chelsea have condemned homophobic abuse aimed toward striker Sam Kerr after asserting she was having a child with West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis.
Australia captain Kerr, who has spent most of 2024 sidelined with an ACL harm, introduced she was anticipating a child with accomplice Mewis, who’s a USA worldwide, on Monday, saying on Instagram: “Mewis-Kerr child coming 2025!”
It got here with an image of the pair kissing and displaying Mewis’ bump.
However whereas they acquired many messages of congratulations, they confronted what Chelsea say have been “unacceptable and hateful homophobic feedback”.
In an announcement, a spokesperson for Chelsea mentioned: “Chelsea Soccer Membership is conscious of latest unacceptable and hateful homophobic feedback revealed throughout varied social media platforms.
“There isn’t a place in society for any type of discrimination and we is not going to settle for any abuse directed in direction of our gamers, employees or supporters.
“We’re extraordinarily proud to be a various, inclusive membership that celebrates and welcomes individuals from all cultures, communities and identities.”
England supervisor Sarina Wiegman was requested in regards to the incident throughout a press convention on Tuesday, saying: “It is rather, very disappointing.
“I’m actually completely satisfied for them. They appear actually completely satisfied and I hope all of it goes effectively.”
Chelsea Pleasure: Kerr abuse ‘heartbreaking’
The membership’s LGBTQ+ group Chelsea Pleasure additionally expressed their disappointment on the feedback, labelling them “hateful”.
“Homophobia has no place in soccer, at Chelsea, or in our society,” mentioned an announcement posted on X.
“It’s heart-breaking and infuriating to see social media flooded with hateful feedback once we needs to be celebrating love, satisfaction, and unity.
“Over the weekend and at the moment, our membership was pressured to close down feedback and even delete posts, posts that ought to have been shining moments of pleasure, from the highly effective symbolism of Rainbow Laces to the unbelievable information that Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis will welcome a baby in 2025.
“‘No to Hate’ isn’t only a slogan; it’s a battle cry. It’s a reminder that we should maintain preventing for what is true, for true acceptance, and for a sport that embraces everybody with out exception.
“We refuse to face by in silence. At Chelsea Pleasure, we stand in opposition to each act of homophobia with unwavering energy and keenness.
“We struggle for a soccer world the place each participant, fan, and household can reside overtly and be celebrated, with out concern or prejudice.
“That is our sport, our membership, and our unwavering dedication: Hate won’t ever win right here. We’ll all the time stand for love, unity, and an inclusive future for soccer.”