Chelsea striker Sam Kerr was warned after breaking into a pitch invader and knocking it to the ground during the Blues’ Champions League clash with Juventus at Kingsmeadow.
In the final stages of the group stage match, the man stepped onto the pitch and briefly suspended play before being sent to sprawl out as the Aussie captain let go of his shoulder and collided with him.
The boos that greeted the invader instantly turned into cheers for Kerr, before the man stood up and left the pitch with the flight attendants chasing him, to applause from the stands.
The referee, however, took a dim view of Kerr’s actions and gave the Matildas star a yellow card.
The man had wanted to take a selfie with Chelsea captain Magda Eriksson, but the incident left Blues coach Emma Hayes somewhat perplexed.
“I don’t know why he didn’t wait until the end, he could have had a photo by then,” Hayes said. “Seriously, we have to think about the welfare and safety of the players.”
It was hard to think of a way Sam Kerr could end this week that would make her even dearer to Aussie fans, beyond what she’s accomplished on the pitch.
It was the only way. https://t.co/Ydbsa5hqH3
– Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) December 8, 2021
It capped a frustrating night for Chelsea, who have failed to score for the first time this season as they were held to a goalless draw.
Kerr’s intervention evoked memories of Andrew Symonds, the Australian cricketer, who spectacularly knocked out a streaker at Gabba during an ODI against India in 2008.
During the 1982 Ashes Test in Perth, Australian bowler Terry Alderman dislocated his shoulder after tackling one of the spectators who entered the pitch.
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