Latest news with #SioneFukofuka
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.
CBC
18-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
U.S. women's rugby star, Olympian Alev Kelter stomps opponent's head in Pacific Four Series match
United States Olympic rugby star Alev Kelter will face a judicial hearing and potentially lengthy suspension after being sent off in a women's rugby test against Australia on Saturday for stamping on the head of an opponent. Kelter received a straight red card in the 79th minute of the Pacific Four Series test against Australia after referee Aimee Barrett-Theron reviewed footage that showed Kelter stamping forcefully on the head of Australian centre Georgie Friedrichs. In comments captured by television microphones, Barrett-Theron said "12 blue [Kelter] is going to receive a permanent red card because this is thuggery, it is deliberate and it is very dangerous foul play. "She's clearly stamped on the head of the Australian player. That's reckless, that's dangerous and she's going off." Friedrichs was not seriously injured in the incident. The United States team coach Sione Fukofuka later apologized to the Australian players. Foul play in rugby that involves contact with the head is treated with extreme seriousness. Rugby, like many contact sports, has changed its rules in an effort to limit the danger of concussion and other head injuries. Kelter is a three-time U.S. Olympic representative in rugby sevens and won a bronze medal in Paris last year. She previously played ice hockey and soccer for the University of Wisconsin. In rugby, judicial hearings over foul play usually take place withing 48 hours of a match.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
US women's rugby star, Olympian Alev Kelter sent off for stamping on the head of an opponent
SYDNEY (AP) — United States Olympic rugby star Alev Kelter will face a judicial hearing and potentially lengthy suspension after being sent off in a women's rugby test against Australia on Saturday for stamping on the head of an opponent. Kelter received a straight red card in the 79th minute of the Pacific Four Series test against Australia after referee Aimee Barrett-Theron reviewed footage that showed Kelter stamping forcefully on the head of Australian center Georgie Friedrichs. Advertisement In comments captured by television microphones, Barrett-Theron said '12 blue (Kelter) is going to receive a permanent red card because this is thuggery, it is deliberate and it is very dangerous foul play. 'She's clearly stamped on the head of the Australian player. That's reckless, that's dangerous and she's going off.' Friedrichs was not seriously injured in the incident. The United States team coach Sione Fukofuka later apologized to the Australian players. Foul play in rugby that involves contact with the head is treated with extreme seriousness. Rugby, like many contact sports, has changed its rules in an effort to limit the danger of concussion and other head injuries. Advertisement Kelter is a three-time US Olympic representative in rugby sevens and won a bronze medal in Paris last year. She previously played ice hockey and soccer for the University of Wisconsin. In rugby, judicial hearings over foul play usually take place withing 48 hours of a match. Australia won Saturday's match 27-19. ___ AP rugby:
Associated Press
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
US women's rugby star, Olympian Alev Kelter sent off for stamping on the head of an opponent
SYDNEY (AP) — United States Olympic rugby star Alev Kelter will face a judicial hearing and potentially lengthy suspension after being sent off in a women's rugby test against Australia on Saturday for stamping on the head of an opponent. Kelter received a straight red card in the 79th minute of the Pacific Four Series test against Australia after referee Aimee Barrett-Theron reviewed footage that showed Kelter stamping forcefully on the head of Australian center Georgie Friedrichs. In comments captured by television microphones, Barrett-Theron said '12 blue (Kelter) is going to receive a permanent red card because this is thuggery, it is deliberate and it is very dangerous foul play. 'She's clearly stamped on the head of the Australian player. That's reckless, that's dangerous and she's going off.' Friedrichs was not seriously injured in the incident. The United States team coach Sione Fukofuka later apologized to the Australian players. Foul play in rugby that involves contact with the head is treated with extreme seriousness. Rugby, like many contact sports, has changed its rules in an effort to limit the danger of concussion and other head injuries. Kelter is a three-time US Olympic representative in rugby sevens and won a bronze medal in Paris last year. She previously played ice hockey and soccer for the University of Wisconsin. In rugby, judicial hearings over foul play usually take place withing 48 hours of a match. Australia won Saturday's match 27-19. ___ AP rugby:
