US women's rugby star sent off for 'deliberate and dangerous' head stamp of Australian opponent
Print Close
By Chantz Martin
Published May 19, 2025
American Olympic rugby star Alev Kelter will face a judicial hearing and potentially lengthy suspension after being sent off in a women's rugby test on Saturday for stamping on the head of an opponent.
Team USA was playing against Australia, who went on to celebrate a 27-19 victory in Saturday's contest.
Upon a video review, referees issued a red card around the 79th minute of action in the Pacific Four Series test. Officials determined Kelter forcefully stamped on the head of Australian center Georgie Friedrichs.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Microphones picked up a referee saying, "Twelve, 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."
US RUGBY SEVENS STAR ILONA MAHER ADMITS BRONZE MEDAL IS 'WEARING A LITTLE BIT'
Friedrichs appeared to avoid any major injuries in the incident. Team USA 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.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In rugby, judicial hearings over foul play usually take place within 48 hours of a match.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Print Close
URL
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/us-womens-rugby-star-sent-off-deliberate-dangerous-head-stamp-australian-opponent
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Shoppers horrified after learning ‘sheepskin' vest actually made of cats
A children's vest advertised as being '100% Australian sheepskin or wool' has actually been found to contain the fur of two domestic cats, sending shockwaves through Aussie shoppers. The findings were released by fashion advocacy group Collective Fashion Justice, following an investigation by British fiber analysis firm Microtex. The incident has led many to call for a crackdown on the sale of animal fur – with some suggesting it be banned altogether. 'This vest has one cat skin at the front, another cat skin at the back, as well as rabbit fur' Shoppers have been left horrified as a number of fur pieces sold in a Melbourne shopping center have been found to have been mislabeled, with one children's vest in particular containing the fur of two domestic cats. The vest, sold by fashion brand Suttons UGG – not connected to UGG or UGG Since 1974 – was made of domestic cat fur and rabbit fur, despite being labelled as '100% Australian sheepskin or wool'. The tests also found that two beanies purchased from Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market had pompoms containing fox and raccoon dog fur – though they were labelled as being acrylic. According to founder of fashion advocacy group Collective Fashion Justice, Emma Hakansson, this was extremely concerning. 'This vest has one cat skin at the front, another cat skin at the back, as well as rabbit fur,' she said. 3 A children's vest advertised as being '100% Australian sheepskin or wool' has actually been found to contain the fur of domestic cats. Collective Fashion Justice Animal Justice MP for Northern Victoria Georgie Purcell said that the seller responded saying they were told it was a 'special kind' of fur – which was ultimately cat. 'Consumers could be out there, buying this, and then going out wearing domestic cats,' she said. Queen Victoria Market said it was 'unaware of mislabeled fur items' being sold at the market. 'We do not condone the sale of any goods of this nature and work with traders and relevant authorities to resolve specific situations when they are brought to our attention,' a QVM spokesperson told the ABC. 3 'I took this fur vest to a meeting with the Minister for Consumer Affairs, and shamefully, it is not the first time that the Animal Justice Party has brought the issue of cat fur being sold in Melbourne,' Purcell said. Collective Fashion Justice 'We don't want reform' According to Hakansson, while this may be a new concern, this issue has been going on for years, citing numerous occasions where fur has been mislabelled illegally since their investigation began in 2021. In 2020, Consumer Affairs Victoria also launched an investigation into the mislabelling of fur products, which found every product independently tested by the taskforce was wrongly labelled. 'People have a right to know what they're buying, and to be able to shop in alignment with their values,' she said. 'Every single time we have sent fur for testing the lab has confirmed it was illegally mislabelled and this has been true for years now.' 3 A number of fur pieces sold in a Melbourne shopping center have been found to have been mislabeled. Instagram / @collectivefashionjustice Ultimately, the two confirmed they were calling for an overarching ban on the selling of fur in Australia – with the issue well past a need for reform. 'I took this fur vest to a meeting with the Minister for Consumer Affairs, and shamefully, it is not the first time that the Animal Justice Party has brought the issue of cat fur being sold in Melbourne,' Purcell said. 'They need to get their shit together and work out who is responsible in order to address this issue. 'We don't want reform. We know that all fur is cruel, whether it comes from a fox, a rabbit, a raccoon dog, a dog or a cat.'
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
HBCU coach named manager of Team USA Prospects Squad
Bethune-Cookman University head coach Johnny Hernandez is having himself a year. He led the Wildcats to a record home runs in a season and ended the HBCU baseball season by winning the SWAC Baseball Championship on the last swing of the game. The team advanced to the NCAA Regional in Tallahassee. As if that wasn't a good enough conclusion to the season, Hernandez, who has been on the staff of Team USA baseball for some time now, was named manager of the Team USA prospects team. Based in Cary, NC, the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp trains select collegiate baseball players for international competition. Johnny Hernandez will lead his squad in the annual Stars vs. Stripes series, which will be held June 29 to July 3 at various locations across North Carolina. Following Training Camp, which features 56 of the premier non-draft-eligible collegiate players in the country, the Stars staff will lead Team USA at the 45th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Championship Series from July 8-13 at various venues across Japan. The Stripes staff will guide select players on a Collegiate National Team Prospects squad in a Fourth of July matchup with the Appalachian League Select Team in Kannapolis, North Carolina. 'We are excited about the coaching staff we have put together for this year's Collegiate National Team Training Camp,' said Eric Campbell, USA Baseball's General Manager of Collegiate and Professional National Teams. 'This is a strong group of coaches who will be able to provide our players with a world-class experience this summer. We look forward to not only competing at a high level with our two exposures, but also developing the select players we bring to Cary and providing them with a wealth of knowledge from this group of coaches.'For the most up-to-date information on the Collegiate National Team, including ticket information, visit and follow @USABaseballCNT and @USABaseball on Twitter/X. Bethune-Cookman University Athletics Communications provided portions of this story. The post HBCU coach named manager of Team USA Prospects Squad appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
HBCU left without an athletic conference once again
Saint Augustine's University, a once-dominant force in D2 and HBCU athletics, has lost its membership in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The CIAA Board of Directors voted not to extend the Raleigh-based HBCU's membership due to ongoing compliance and operational challenges. The decision removes Saint Augustine's from CIAA competition for the 2024–25 academic year. The university did not field teams in football, volleyball, or softball this year. While it met the NCAA Division II minimum of sponsoring 10 sports, questions remain about its ability to meet scheduling and reporting requirements. A Rare Independent Status in HBCU Sports Saint Augustine's already competed as an independent in women's cross country last season. Now, that independent status will expand to all sports. The Falcons will not be eligible for CIAA standings or championship events during the suspension. This move leaves Saint Augustine's without a conference home, a rare and difficult position for any HBCU. The school's games will not count toward CIAA records, further isolating its athletes from traditional competition. From Track Powerhouse to Uncertainty This fall from grace is especially striking given the school's legacy in track and field. Under legendary coach George Williams, the Falcons built an unmatched track dynasty. The program claimed more than 30 NCAA Division II national championships and produced Olympic talent. For decades, no HBCU or Division II program could rival its success. Today, that legacy is overshadowed by instability. Saint Augustine's financial and leadership struggles have affected its athletic future. Hope for a Comeback In its 2024-2025 decision to suspend the university, the CIAA expressed hope that Saint Augustine's could stabilize and rejoin the conference. For now, the once-dominant HBCU faces the challenge of rebuilding its athletic programs and regaining its footing. As the CIAA continues with 12 active members, the absence of Saint Augustine's is a stark reminder of the challenges some HBCUs face. Supporters and alumni now hope to see the Falcons rise again-and reclaim their place in HBCU sports history. The post HBCU left without an athletic conference once again appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
