USA's Alev Kelter receives ban for stamping

USA’s Alev Kelter has been suspended for three matches following an independent Disciplinary Committee hearing. The centre appeared before a panel on Tuesday 20th May, having received a red card for stamping in the USA’s Pacific Four Series 2025 match against Australia on Saturday.

The player accepted that she had committed an act of foul play and that the referee’s decision to award a red card was correct.

The Committee found that there was foul play and that it met the red card threshold and there was contact with the head by Kelter’s boot.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

On careful review of the footage, the committee accepted the player’s evidence that she did not intend to contact the head of Australia’s Georgie Friedrichs, but was reckless in her actions.

The Committee concluded that contact to the head was glancing or grazing rather than direct and targeted. The Committee was not satisfied that the player looked down and was aware she was contacting the head of Friedrichs.

The Committee has applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in head contact (six matches). Taking all considerations into account, including the player’s disciplinary record, early acknowledgment of foul play and her clear remorse, the Disciplinary Committee determined that full mitigation was appropriate.

Kelter will miss the following matches and will be available for selection for the USA’s Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Fiji in Washington on Saturday 19th July.

USA v New Zealand – Saturday, 24 May (Pacific Four Series)
Bay Breakers v Chicago Tempest – Saturday, 7 June (Women’s Elite Rugby)
Bay Breakers v Denver Onyx – Saturday, 14 June (Women’s Elite Rugby)