Latest news with #GeorgieFriedrichs
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
USA star learns fate after stomping on head of Wallaroos player
American rugby sevens star Alev Kelter has learnt her fate after brutally stomping on the head of an Australian player in an act of 'thuggery' on Saturday. 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. Watch The UEFA Women's Champions League Final LIVE on Kayo Sports | Arsenal vs Barcelona Sunday 25 May 2am AEST | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. 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. Watch the headstomp in the video above The incident marred the Wallaroos' victory with Kelter being handed a three match ban following an independent disciplinary committee hearing. Kelter was shown a permanent red card by the referee 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.' Kelter was also involved in another incident 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 can count herself lucky after many believed the incident could have resulted in a ban of 12 or more matches due to past suspensions for stomping on the head being 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.
Irish Independent
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
USA's Alev Kelter gets three-match ban for stamping on the head of Australia player
Kelter, a three-time US Olympic representative in rugby sevens, was sent off in the 79th minute of the Pacific Four Series match on Saturday after the referee reviewed footage showing Kelter stamping forcefully on the head of Australia center Georgie Friedrichs. In comments captured by television microphones, referee Aimee Barrett-Theron said Kelter would be getting a red card 'because this is thuggery, it is deliberate and it is very dangerous foul play'. Kelter appeared in front of a three-person panel at a disciplinary committee hearing on Tuesday and accepted she committed an act of foul play, World Rugby said in a statement. The committee accepted, however, evidence provided by Kelter that she did not intend to contact the head of Friedrichs. 'The committee found that the player was not deliberately targeting the head of the Australian player,' World Rugby said, 'but rather was reckless in her actions (as she accepted). 'The contact to the head was glancing or grazing rather than direct and targeted.' The committee applied a six-match ban that was reduced to three matches because of mitigating circumstances, such as her disciplinary record, early acknowledgment of foul play and clear remorse. Kelter will be suspended for the test against New Zealand in the Pacific Four Series on Saturday, as well as two matches for US club Bay Breakers. Kelter won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics last year. She previously played ice hockey and soccer for the University of Wisconsin.
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
US rugby star Alev Kelter gets 3-match ban for stamping on opponent's head
United States women's rugby star Alev Kelter was handed a three-match ban on Tuesday for stamping on the head of an opponent in a test match against Australia. Kelter, a three-time U.S. Olympic representative in rugby sevens, was sent off in the 79th minute of the Pacific Four Series match on Saturday after the referee reviewed footage showing Kelter stamping forcefully on the head of Australia center Georgie Friedrichs. In comments captured by television microphones, referee Aimee Barrett-Theron said Kelter would be getting a red card 'because this is thuggery, it is deliberate and it is very dangerous foul play.' Kelter appeared in front of a three-person panel at a disciplinary committee hearing on Tuesday and accepted she committed an act of foul play, World Rugby said in a statement. The committee accepted, however, evidence provided by Kelter that she did not intend to contact the head of Friedrichs. 'The committee found that the player was not deliberately targeting the head of the Australian player,' World Rugby said, 'but rather was reckless in her actions (as she accepted). 'The contact to the head was glancing or grazing rather than direct and targeted.' The committee applied a six-match ban that was reduced to three matches because of mitigating circumstances, such as her disciplinary record, early acknowledgment of foul play and clear remorse. Kelter will be suspended for the test against New Zealand in the Pacific Four Series on Saturday, as well as two matches for U.S. club Bay Breakers. Kelter won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics last year. She previously played ice hockey and soccer for the University of Wisconsin. ___ AP rugby:
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
US rugby star Alev Kelter gets 3-match ban for stamping on opponent's head
United States women's rugby star Alev Kelter was handed a three-match ban on Tuesday for stamping on the head of an opponent in a test match against Australia. Kelter, a three-time U.S. Olympic representative in rugby sevens, was sent off in the 79th minute of the Pacific Four Series match on Saturday after the referee reviewed footage showing Kelter stamping forcefully on the head of Australia center Georgie Friedrichs. Advertisement In comments captured by television microphones, referee Aimee Barrett-Theron said Kelter would be getting a red card 'because this is thuggery, it is deliberate and it is very dangerous foul play.' Kelter appeared in front of a three-person panel at a disciplinary committee hearing on Tuesday and accepted she committed an act of foul play, World Rugby said in a statement. The committee accepted, however, evidence provided by Kelter that she did not intend to contact the head of Friedrichs. 'The committee found that the player was not deliberately targeting the head of the Australian player,' World Rugby said, 'but rather was reckless in her actions (as she accepted). Advertisement 'The contact to the head was glancing or grazing rather than direct and targeted.' The committee applied a six-match ban that was reduced to three matches because of mitigating circumstances, such as her disciplinary record, early acknowledgment of foul play and clear remorse. Kelter will be suspended for the test against New Zealand in the Pacific Four Series on Saturday, as well as two matches for U.S. club Bay Breakers. Kelter won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics last year. She previously played ice hockey and soccer for the University of Wisconsin. ___ AP rugby:
News.com.au
18-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘This is thuggery': USA star faces months-long ban for stomping repeatedly on Wallaroo's head
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. Watch The UEFA Women's Champions League Final LIVE on Kayo Sports | Arsenal vs Barcelona Sunday 25 May 2am AEST | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. 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.
