Why Chloe Kelly Faced Backlash Over a “Needless” Incident During Her Return to Manchester City

Why Chloe Kelly Faced Backlash Over a “Needless” Incident During Her Return to Manchester City

 

 

 

Chloe Kelly’s return to Manchester City on Saturday was always going to be emotional. But the Arsenal forward has drawn significant backlash following a late-match incident that many are calling “unnecessary” and “provocative.”

The England international, who left City in January after a public and acrimonious fallout, came off the bench for Arsenal in a crucial Women’s Super League clash at the Joie Stadium. The match was finely balanced, with both teams chasing a vital result in the title race. But it wasn’t Kelly’s footballing impact that grabbed headlines — it was her conduct in stoppage time.

In the dying moments of the match, Kelly fouled her former teammate Leila Ouahabi, leaving the City defender on the ground. What sparked the most criticism, however, was what came next: Kelly stood over Ouahabi, then pointed to the Arsenal badge on her chest with a smile — a gesture many perceived as mocking or taunting.

The Reaction

The moment quickly went viral on social media, with fans accusing Kelly of disrespect and poor sportsmanship.

> “Unbelievable from Chloe Kelly. Came on, fouled a former teammate, and then did that. Totally unnecessary,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Others were even harsher, labelling her the “biggest shouse in the women’s game” and questioning whether such behaviour had any place in elite football.

Even some Arsenal supporters were left uncomfortable by the gesture, particularly given the context of her departure from Manchester City earlier this year.

The Backstory

Kelly’s exit from City was anything but smooth. She made headlines after publicly criticising the club’s environment, stating that her time there had been “mentally tough” and describing her final months as a “dark time.” She also alleged that staff at City had briefed journalists against her, further souring the relationship between player and club.

Her agent later added fuel to the fire, accusing City of “planting stories” to damage her reputation before she moved to Arsenal in a dramatic deadline-day loan deal.

All of this made Saturday’s return to her former club highly charged — but many feel Kelly let emotion get the better of her.

Was it Really That Bad?

Some pundits and fans defended Kelly’s actions, saying she was simply showing passion for her new club in a high-pressure moment. “Players celebrate goals in front of old fans all the time — why is this any different?” one fan asked.

Others noted that Kelly has always worn her heart on her sleeve and that the gesture, while poorly timed, wasn’t malicious.

Still, the consensus from much of the media was that the moment overshadowed an otherwise solid return. Arsenal ultimately lost the match 2–1, with City scoring a late winner just minutes after the incident — making the timing of the gesture even more scrutinised.

What’s Next?

Kelly has yet to publicly address the controversy. But with Arsenal still in the hunt for silverware and more games between top sides on the horizon, all eyes will remain on the winger — not just for her performances, but how she handles the spotlight off the ball.