Chelsea Pride released a statement where it slammed the homophobic comments directed at Australian footballer Sam Kerr after she announced that she was having a baby with Kirstie Mewis of the United States. On Monday, November 18, Kerr and Mewis jointly posted a picture with a touching shot of an ultrasound image with the caption “Mewis-Kerr baby coming 2025!”.
Thereafter, Kerr faced hateful comments and abuse on social media. Chelsea Pride slammed the critics, saying that there is “no place” for Homophobia in football. They also congratulated Kerr and Mewis for their recent news and also spoke about countering malicious posts on social media.
“Homophobia has no place in football, at Chelsea, or in our society. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating to see social media flooded with hateful comments when we should be celebrating love, pride, and unity.
“Over the weekend and today, our club was forced to shut down comments and even delete posts, posts that should have been shining moments of joy, from the powerful symbolism of Rainbow Laces to the incredible news that Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis will welcome a child in 2025.
“‘No to Hate’ isn’t just a slogan; it’s a battle cry. It’s a reminder that we must keep fighting for what is right, for true acceptance, and for a game that embraces everyone without exception. We refuse to stand by in silence. At Chelsea Pride, we stand against every act of homophobia with unwavering strength and passion.
“We fight for a football world where every player, fan, and family can live openly and be celebrated, without fear or prejudice. This is our game, our club, and our unwavering commitment: Hate will never win here. We will always stand for love, unity, and an inclusive future for football.”
Kerr is currently recovering from a knee injury that also ruled her out of the Paris Olympics earlier this year. She has had an incredible career, having won three FA Cups, two League Cups and five Women’s Super League titles. The 31-year-old also extended her contract with Chelsea until 2026.
Mewis, on the other hand, was a part of the United States squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia. She also won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after beating Australia 4-3.