Sam Kerr steps out as Matildas caught in ‘embarrassing’ kit mishap

Sam Kerr has stepped out for a blockbuster game that was overshadowed by an “embarrassing” mix-up involving Matildas stars.

Sam Kerr was in attendance as Chelsea beat Arsenal amid a kit saga.

Sam Kerr stepped out at a major Chelsea game after it emerged she is fighting allegations she racially abused a police officer.

The Women’s Super League clash loomed as a must-win game for Arsenal, but a 3-1 loss means they fall six points behind league leaders Chelsea and remain in third place behind Manchester City.

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Kerr was in attendance at Stamford Bridge and cheered her team on from the sidelines as she continues her recovery from an ACL injury.

The Matildas star shared her vantage point from Chelsea’s bench with the caption “LETS GO” on Instagram, and said “Girls smashed that” in another clip post-game as she showed the Chelsea fans celebrating in the stands.

Arsenal became a “laughing sock” as they were forced to make a late dash to the Chelsea megastore ahead of the defeat.

The heavyweight WSL showdown was due to kick off at 7pm local time in London but the action was delayed at Stamford Bridge due a kit clash.

Chelsea were playing in their blue shirts while Arsenal were lining up in their red ones, leaving supporters bemused at what the hold up was.

Along with a series of laughing emojis, one post read: “One team plays in blue. One in red. Delayed due to kit clash. Only in the Barclays WSL.”

Another asked: “Kick-off has been delayed due to a kit clash. It’s not clear yet how long kick-off has been delayed for????? Eh? How?”

Sam Kerr on the Chelsea bench. Photo: Instagram.

Sam Kerr thanks the Chelsea fans. Photo: Instagram.

However, the problem soon emerged that both teams had white socks on, leading to referee Rebecca Welch to intervene.

During the previous meeting at Arsenal’s home ground The Emirates, Arsenal wore white socks with their red kit while Chelsea had blue.

That was due to be switched around this evening, with even Mikel Arteta’s Gunners donning red socks when they played Mauricio Pochettino’s side there in October.

However, Arsenal had allegedly forgotten about the change and had not brought their red ones, which led to a trip to the Chelsea megastore.

Soon the away team was back out on the pitch going through a second warm-up wearing black Chelsea socks, which had been purchased from the Blues’ club shop, with tape over the Nike logo because Arsenal are sponsored by Adidas.

Matildas stars Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross play for Arsenal.

Gunners legend Ian Wright was quick to slam the scenario, posting on X: “Embarrassing this. Ridiculous.”

And the cheeky Chelsea social media account posted a sock emoji at kick off along with the words: “Ready to work our socks off.”

Arsenal players wear Chelsea socks with tape over the rival sponsor. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Caitlin Foord of Arsenal has a shot saved by Hannah Hampton of Chelsea. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

A record crowd of 32,970 then watched on as Sjoeke Nusken helped Chelsea sock it to Arsenal.

Chelsea went up 3-0 up after 32 minutes. Lauren James opened the scoring running onto Nusken’s pass wrongfooting her markers to fire past goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.

Arsenal’s tough start got worse with Nusken poking the ball beyond the shot stopper with the visitors looking shell-shocked

The Gunners were caught out again with Rytting Kaneryd pouncing on the ball following Leah Williamson’s free-kick before making a powerful run into the box and her shot was deflected home by Nusken.

The second spell saw Alessia Russo, Frida Maanum and Emily Fox enter the fray in place of Catley, Victoria Pelova and Stina Blackstenius.

The Gunners nabbed a late consolation through a Kim Little volley but the league leaders held out to seal the win and open a six-point gap over Arsenal.

The Sam Kerr case will go to trial in April. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

UK barrister Grace Forbes will represent Kerr at her trial as she faces a single charge of racially aggravated and abusive behaviour.

British police will reportedly allege the 30-year-old called an officer a “white bastard” during the January 2023 incident. The case will go to trial in April.

It is then that Forbes, from firm 2 Hare Court, will put forward a motion to throw the case out altogether on the basis there was an abuse of power.

The West Australian reported that Ms Forbes would base the claim on it taking the UK Crown prosecutor almost 12 months to lay the charges against Kerr.

Kerr has pleaded not guilty to a charge relating to an incident on January 30, 2023, in Twickenham.

About 3am on the night in question, the Chelsea striker allegedly vomited in a taxi, was involved in a dispute about the taxi fare, and allegedly called an attending police officer a “stupid white bastard”.

— With The Sun