Chelsea condemn 'hateful' homophobic abuse aimed at Sam Kerr after baby announcement

Chelsea FC has strongly criticized the homophobic insults directed at their striker, Sam Kerr, following her announcement that she is expecting a child with Kristie Mewis, a midfielder for West Ham United Women.

The 31-year-old captain of Australia shared the exciting announcement on Instagram this past Monday, stating: "Mewis-Kerr baby arriving in 2025!"

It featured a photo of the couple sharing a kiss while highlighting Mewis' pregnancy belly.

Although many people rushed to offer their congratulations, Chelsea FC reported that they encountered "unacceptable and hateful homophobic remarks."

The reactions to Kerr's original post were also restricted right after it was published.

Instagram This material is supplied by Instagram, which may be utilizing cookies and similar technology. To display this content, we require your permission to use cookies. You can adjust your preferences using the buttons below to accept Instagram cookies or to permit them for just this one time. You can update your preferences at any moment through the Privacy Options. Unfortunately, we have not been able to confirm if you have agreed to Instagram cookies. To access this content, you can use the button below to accept Instagram cookies for this session alone.

In a statement to Sky News, a representative from the football club said: "Chelsea Football Club recognizes the recent disturbing and hateful homophobic remarks that have been shared on multiple social media sites."

Discrimination has no place in our society, and we will not tolerate any mistreatment aimed at our players, staff, or fans.

"We take great pride in being a club that embraces diversity and inclusivity, where individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, and identities are celebrated and warmly welcomed."

Chelsea Pride, the supporter group for the club's LGBTQ+ community and their allies, referred to the remarks as "hurtful."

The group emphasized that "'No to Hate' is more than just a phrase; it's a rallying call. It serves as a reminder for us to continue our fight for justice, for genuine acceptance, and for a game that welcomes everyone, without any exclusions."

Check out additional coverage from Sky News: Zoe Ball is set to step down from her Radio 2 morning show, and researchers suggest that salmonella might play a role in fighting cancer.

Kerr, a standout player in women's soccer recognized for her impressive goal-scoring abilities, got engaged to Mewis last year.

She has spent most of this year sidelined due to an ACL injury.