Kathrin Hendrich Is Eligible For UEFA Women’s Euro Final After Hair-Pull

Suspended German defender Kathrin Hendrich has been cleared to play in the UEFA Women’s Euro final should her team defeat world champions Spain tomorrow night.

0ut of the semi-final with an automatic one-match suspension for her red card in Saturday’s quarter-final against France, Hendrich could have had her punishment extended by the UEFA Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. Earlier in the tournament, Spanish captain Irene Paredes missed her team’s opening game of the competition after having her suspension for a straight red card extended.

In their “booking list” published before each matchday at the tournament, Hendrich’s name was marked with an asterisk with the qualification “suspended for at least one match (subject to pending decision by disciplinary bodies).” The German FA had until 11am today to submit a written statement in defence of Hendrich ahead of the decision by the Disciplinary Committee. UEFA has confirmed to me today that she will face no further action and Hendrich could yet play in her second successive final in the competition.

Making her first start of the competition after two previous substitute appearances, Hendrich was shown a straight card by referee Tess Olofsson in the 13th minute of the quarter-final following a review by the Video Assistant Referee. The 33-year-old defender was caught pulling the hair of French captain Griedge Mbock Bathy as the pair jostled for position at a free kick. A penalty was also awarded to France.

Despite falling behind and playing with one woman fewer for almost two hours, Germany equalised and took the match to extra time and, eventually, a penalty shoot-out. The eight-time European champions then maintained their historic superiority over the French women in major tournaments by defeating them for a sixth time out of six.

Germany’s sporting director for the women’s game Nia Künzer defended her player speaking to reporters after the game. “She was looking in a completely different direction and got her hands caught in her hair. She did not grab her hair intentionally. We definitely want to emphasize that there was no intent. She was, of course, very disappointed but also relieved that the game ended the way it did.”

Sjoeke Nüsken, the scorer of Germany’s goal against France, is also suspended for tomorrow’s game after receiving her second yellow card of the tournament. The Chelsea midfielder will also be free to return to make her 50th international appearance if Germany overcome Spain to reach Sunday’s final.

Hendrich is one of four potential right backs that Germany has lost to injury and suspension during this competition. They were already missing their first-choice in that position, their captain, Giulia Gwinn. The FC Bayern star was injured in the Germans opening match against Poland and was ruled out of the tournament with a medial ligament injury to her left knee.

Sarai Linder sustained a capsular ligament injury to her left ankle in the game against France. She has definitely been ruled out of tomorrow’s semi-final against Spain and may not recover in time for the final on Sunday. However, another potential right back Carlotta Wamser, who was suspended from the quarter-final after her red card in the final group game against Sweden, is eligible to return tomorrow.

Hendrich has just left the Frauen Bundesliga to join Chicago Stars FC in the NWSL on two-year contract. A former UEFA Women’s Champions League winner with 1. FFC Frankfurt in 2015, she is appearing at her third successive UEFA Women’s Euro and played the entire final in 2022 losing in extra time to England at Wembley Stadium. She was also an alternate when Germany won Gold at the 2016 Women’s Football Olympic Tournament in 2016.