Crystal Palace midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn is facing a potential extended ban after the Football Association deemed the standard punishment for her recent red card “clearly insufficient.” The incident occurred during Palace’s 3-0 League Cup victory over Leicester City on Sunday, where Littlejohn, 35, was sent off for a challenge on hannah Cain.
The FA has submitted a claim to a regulatory commission arguing that a three-match ban – the typical penalty for violent conduct – is inadequate given the nature of the offense. Video footage appears to show Littlejohn grabbing her opponent around the neck before throwing her to the ground.
The FA possesses the authority to seek a harsher punishment if it believes a dismissal offense is “truly remarkable.” A regulatory commission will now review the case and determine whether to increase the sanction. If the claim succeeds, the commission will decide a new punishment; or else, Littlejohn will serve the standard three-match ban.
Littlejohn, an international for the Republic of Ireland who joined Crystal Palace in September, has until Thursday to respond to the FA’s claim.
