Nigerian defender Ugo Njoku has been suspended for three matches and fined CHF 3,000 for a behind the ball elbow to the jaw of Sam Kerr in Australia's match with Nigeria at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The second half incident saw Kerr receive medical treatment with video showing the deliberate swinging on an elbow by the Nigerian defender.

Njoku was cited under and was found to have breached art. 48 par. 1 d) of theFIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC).

With the incident not viewed by the central referee, the Disciplinary Committee, who is responsible for sanctioning serious infringements which have escaped the match officials’ attention, took action.

The 20-year-old will start her suspension from Tuesday's final Group D match between Nigeria and USA on 16 June 2015, with the remaining two to be served either at any subsequent matches within the competition or, in the case that Nigeria would be eliminated, at the next official matches of the Nigerian national team.

Njoku was also issued with a warning by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

 

Fair play took a back seat when Matildas star Sam Kerr came in for some rough treatment in back play. She recovered from the elbow to the jaw and Australia got the result thanks to Kyah Simon's double. Full report here! http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/match/1973563/australia-vs-nigeria/

Posted by SBS The World Game on Friday, June 12, 2015

While there was early fear that Kerr may have suffered a broken jaw or concussion, the 21-year-old forward appears to have recovered and participated in the Matildas first training session in Edmonton.

Kerr is set to be available for selection for Australia's final Group D match against Sweden where, as the Matildas are currently in second place, a draw or win will see them progress to the quarter finals.