Matildas captain Sam Kerr has been dealt a major blow in her fight to clear her name of racially harassing a London police officer.

Kerr was due to appear at London’s King Crown Court on Monday in a bid to have the criminal charge thrown out.

However the judge has cancelled her preliminary hearing, saying it was “not needed”.

It means Kerr’s next appearance will be in February 2025 where she will have to fight the charge in court.

The trial is listed for four or five days, but it is not expected it would take that long.

Kerr was arrested for allegedly using a racist slur against a London police officer on January 30, 2023.

The star striker was charged with using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to the constable during the incident in Twickenham, south-west London.

She had been out celebrating Chelsea’s FA Cup victory over Liverpool with friends.

Kerr, who was not charged until January 21 this year, is accused of calling him a “stupid white bastard”.

However it has emerged her lawyers are disputing she used the word “bastard”.

Kerr pleaded not guilty at the hearing on March 4, 2024.

It has also been revealed Kerr, Chelsea’s star striker, spent time in a police cell after the alleged incident took place.

The news comes as Kerr joined Chelsea’s celebrations for winning the English Women’s Super League champions for a fifth successive year.

Chelsea triumphed 6-0 over Manchester United.

Kerr played a huge part in all five of the triumphs despite missing half of this season with an ACL tear.

She received her winner’s medal on the pitch at Old Trafford after Chelsea’s dazzling win sealed the title on goal difference.

But it was a day full of disappointment for two of Kerr’s Matildas’ teammates, Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy, whose Manchester City side had to settle for the runner’s up spot.

-with AAP