‘This is thuggery': USA star faces months-long ban for stomping repeatedly on Wallaroo's head

News.com.au

18-05-2025

An American rugby sevens star is facing a mammoth ban for brutally stomping on the head of an Australian player in an act of 'thuggery' on Saturday.
Alev Kelter, a three-time Olympian and Paris bronze medallist, was shown a red card in the 79th minute of the Wallaroos' 27-19 win in Canberra during the Pacific Four tournament.
The USA centre was tackled by Australia's Georgie Friedrichs who then held onto her left leg. In an attempt to escape her grip, Kelter stamped down five times with her right boot, twice making contact with Friedrichs' head and twice with her arms and upper body, the Aussie somehow escaping serious injury.
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The referee gave Kelter a permanent red card, rather than a 20-minute one, due to the deliberate foul play.
'Because this is thuggery, it is deliberate and it is very dangerous foul play,' she said.
'She's clearly stamped on the head of the Australian player. That's reckless, that's dangerous and she's going off.'
Watch the headstomp in the video above
Kelter was also involved in another incidents throughout the contest and was reportedly distraught after the game. But she did not visit the Australian sheds to check on Friedrichs, with only USA coach and former Wallaroos assistant Sione Fukofuka, making the visit.
'I have only seen it once – it's not nice for the game,' Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said post-game.
'I have already had the USA apologise and check on 'GFred' (Friedrichs). So we will wait and they (World Rugby) will review it.'
Kelter will face a judicial panel within 48 hours and she is facing at least six matches suspended but likely 12 or more, because past suspensions for stomping on the head have been graded 'high-range'.
As an example, Fijian prop Manasa Saulo and Wales lock Ian Evans copped initial suspensions of 16 games for stomping on a rival's head a decade ago, before appealing them down to 10 and 12 matches respectively.
Kelter is a key member of the USA side and her absence could cost them dearly in the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup, where England, Australia and USA share a pool and only two nations can advance.