Louisville’s Fischer will get 3-match ban for hair pull

Racing Louisville FC ahead Kayla Fischer will serve a three-game suspension for a hair-pulling incident that led to a purple card on Saturday, NWSL introduced on Thursday.

All main sport misconduct occasions are reviewed via the NWSL‘s Disciplinary Committee, which issued further punishment.

Fischer and Racing Louisville have the best to attraction the verdict however are not likely to take action, in step with a supply conversant in the location.

Fischer used to be ejected within the 67th minute of Racing’s 3-2 win over Angel City FC on Saturday after a video assessment confirmed her pulling the hair of Angel City FC midfielder Madison Hammond and dragging Hammond to the bottom on an Angel City nook kick.

Angel City used to be awarded a penalty kick, which ahead Alyssa Thompson transformed to chop Louisville’s result in 3-2, however Racing hung on for a very powerful victory within the conflict of mid-table groups.

A purple card ends up in an automated suspension for the following sport, that means Fischer had two video games added to her suspension for a complete of 3. Louisville has 3 video games final sooner than the NWSL’s summer time smash.

Fischer isn’t eligible to play some other regular-season sport till August 1.

In a remark issued to ESPN on Thursday, Fischer apologized for her conduct.

“I would like to apologize to Madison Hammond and Angel City for my actions last weekend,” Fischer mentioned.

“It was never my intention to be overly aggressive while defending a corner, and I sincerely regret my behavior and letting my teammates down. I accept and understand the league’s decision.

“When I go back to the sector later this season, I plan to turn that I’ve realized from my movements and that this second does not outline me as a participant or the distinction I’ve for my warring parties and the sport.”

Fischer had started all 10 games for Louisville this year, tallying two goals and two assists. She assisted Savannah DeMelo‘s game-winning goal on Saturday 11 minutes before she was sent off.

There is precedent for a three-game suspension for similar incidents.

Tyler Lussi and Merritt Mathias were each suspended for three games in 2017 for separate hair-pulling incidents. Neither player was sent off during the run of play. Those incidents took place six years before there was video review, which the NWSL implemented in 2023.

Chicago Stars forward Ludmila was also issued an additional two-match suspension last year after being ejected from a game for putting her hands on an opponent’s head and appearing to pull her hair.

Fischer’s suspension marks the second major ban of a Louisville player in the past month.

Racing Louisville midfielder Ary Borges was suspended four games total — three on top of her automatic suspension due to a red card — for an altercation with the referee following her team’s 3-3 draw against the Portland Thorns on April 27.

The NWSL Disciplinary Committee found during its review that Borges pushed the referee during the altercation, resulting in “Major Game Misconduct.”

Borges is eligible to go back for Louisville’s subsequent event on June 6 in opposition to Utah Royals FC.