The IFF Event Disciplinary Function (EDF) has given a one match suspension to Isak Kelty from Team USA. The suspension is in connection to an incident in the game against Estonia at the Men’s U19 WFC 2023 on Thursday 27th April.

The incident under review happened at 26:15 and was not penalised by the referees at the time of the incident. It was the opinion of the IFF Referee Management that Kelty should have received a match penalty for violent physical play, according to Rule 614:3 – When a player is guilty of violent physical play (909).  

According to the Rules of the Game 2022 (Rule 613:2):  Match penalty shall lead to suspension for the rest of the match and from the following match in the same competition and possible further punishment according to the conditions and routines set by the administrating authority.  In IFF events, the decision on any possible further punishment is taken by the IFF Event Disciplinary Function (EDF). At the Men’s U19 WFC 2023, the EDF is comprised of members of the IFF Administration, MU19 WFC Jury, and MU19 WFC Referee Management.

It was the opinion of the EDF that Isak Kelty made direct contact with his shoulder against the head of the Estonian player. The decision of the EDF was that Isak Kelty should have been penalised with a Match Penalty, which is an automatic suspension from the next game. As a match penalty was not given during the match by the referees, the EDF decision was to give the equivalent penalty of a one match suspension.

In making their decision, the EDF reviewed the match video, statement of the Head of Referees, statement from the accused player, and a statement from the Team USA management. The final decision is that Isak Kelty is suspended from his team’s next game in the competition, which is the match scheduled to be played on Friday 28th April against Austria.