Kayla Fischer of Racing Louisville Receives Suspension for On-Field Incidents
Racing Louisville FC forward Kayla Fischer has been suspended for three matches due to a hair-pulling incident that resulted in a red card last Saturday, according to the NWSL. The NWSL Disciplinary Committee reviewed the incident, determining an additional sanction for Fischer. According to sources, it is unlikely that Fischer and Racing Louisville will appeal the decision. Fischer was sent off in the 67th minute of the match against Angel City FC, which Racing Louisville won 3-2. Video review showed that Fischer pulled the hair of Angel City FC midfielder Madison Hammond and brought her down during a corner kick.Angel City was awarded a penalty, which Alyssa Thompson converted, reducing Louisville’s lead to 3-2. However, Racing Louisville managed to secure the victory.
The red card carries an automatic suspension for the next match, which means that Fischer will have two additional suspension matches, totaling three.
The Louisville team has three remaining matches before the NWSL summer break.
Kayla Fischer was sent off during Racing Louisville’s victory over Angel City FC on Saturday.
Katelyn Mulcahy/NWSL via Getty Images
Fischer will not be able to play another regular season game until August 1st.Fischer had started in Louisville’s 10 matches this year, scoring two goals and two assists. She assisted on Savannah DeMelo’s winning goal on Saturday, 11 minutes before being sent off.I would like to apologize to Madison Hammond and Angel City for my actions last weekend. It was never my intention to be aggressive while defending a corner, and I sincerely regret my behavior and disappointing my teammates. I accept and understand the league’s decision. When I return to the field later this season, I plan to demonstrate that I have learned from my actions and that this moment does not define me as a player nor the respect I have for my opponents and the game.
Kayla Fischer
There are precedents for three-match suspensions for similar incidents.
Tyler Lussi and Merritt Mathias were suspended for three games each in 2017 for separate hair-pulling incidents. Neither player was sent off during the game. These incidents occurred six years before video review was implemented, which the NWSL adopted in 2023.
The Chicago Stars forward, Ludmila, also received an additional two-match suspension last year after being sent off from a match for putting her hands on an opponent’s head and apparently pulling her hair.Fischer’s suspension marks the second major sanction for a Louisville player in the last month.
The Racing Louisville midfielder, Ary Borges, was suspended for a total of four matches, three in addition to her automatic suspension due to a red card, for an altercation with the referee after her team’s 3-3 draw against Portland Thorns on April 27.The NWSL Disciplinary Committee determined during its review that Borges shoved the referee during the altercation, resulting in “Serious Improper Conduct.”
Borges may return for Louisville’s next match on June 6 against Utah Royals FC.
