"It’s disgusting": Sam Kerr's baby announcement ruined by trolls
The Matildas captain Sam Kerr and her fiancée Kristie Mewis have announced they are pregnant with their first child, but their news was sadly met with homophobic comments from online trolls.
The football power couple took to Instagram to announce the news with a photo of them holding ultrasound photos.
“Mewis-Kerr baby coming 2025!” the post read.
While Kerr's teammates Mary Fowler, Teagan Micah, Kyah Simon and Lydia Williams congratulated the couple, they had to turn off their comments following online trolls making "disgusting" homophobic comments across social media.
The trolls' behaviour has been condemned by sports commentators, fans and pride groups alike.
“Extremely disappointing to see even the slightest negative reaction to Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis’s fantastic news," BBC sport commentator Tom Overend began.
“Couples are free to do what they choose, and you can be a good parent whatever your gender, creed, colour or anything.
“We are in 2024 folks.”
David Shaw, a Manchester United fan, posted: “I can’t believe some of the comments I’ve seen about Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis news.
“Seen one saying how’s that legal and called it bulls***. Seen others say Sam’s not the parent others more interested in who the father is and how much they paid him. Quite frankly it’s disgusting”.
Over the weekend, the Women’s Super League launched a “Rainbow Laces” campaign, promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives.
Women’s football commentator Paul Wheeler wrote: "'Homophobia isn’t a thing in women’s football' - Also women’s football, Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis announce they’re having a baby and comments are full of “fans” spouting the worst kind of homophobic crap on Rainbow Laces weekend”.
Chelsea Pride, an LGBTQ+ support group for Chelsea fans also said: “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.
“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.”
The couple have since turned on the comments again.
Images: Instagram