In a stunning turn of events at the Euro 2025 quarter-final match between Germany and France in Basel, Switzerland, German defender Kathrin Hendrich was sent off after pulling the hair of French captain Griedge Mbock. The incident occurred early in the game, less than 15 minutes into the match, and resulted in a penalty for France.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) brought the hair-pulling to the attention of the referee, Tess Olofsson, who then reviewed the play on the pitchside monitor. Replays clearly showed Hendrich yanking Mbock's ponytail as a free kick was being floated into the German penalty area. The referee had no choice but to issue a red card to Hendrich, leaving Germany with only 10 players for the remainder of the match. Grace Geyoro successfully converted the penalty, giving France an early 1-0 lead.
The dismissal of Hendrich significantly impacted Germany's chances in the match. Not only were they a player down, but they also had to contend with an early deficit against a strong French side. The incident was described as "bizarre" and a "nightmare start" for Germany. Social media quickly reacted to the incident, with many expressing shock and disbelief at Hendrich's actions. Some fans and commentators criticized the "sneaky" and unnecessary foul.
Kathrin Hendrich is a German-Belgium professional footballer known for her versatility as a defender. She plays for Chicago Stars FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the German national team. Hendrich has been a regular player for Germany, participating in the 2022 UEFA Women's Euro, where Germany lost to England in the final, and the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. She was also called up to the squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics. This red card is a significant setback for both Hendrich and the German team in their Euro 2025 campaign.
Notably, a similar incident occurred just six days prior during the Club World Cup final. This raises questions about the increasing frequency of such fouls and whether it indicates a change in player behavior or increased scrutiny from referees and VAR. Whether this type of foul warrants a straight red card is up for debate; however, the referee's decision was final.
Despite being down a player, Germany fought back, with Klara Bühl's equalizer keeping their hopes alive. The match continued to be a hard-fought contest, with both teams creating chances.
