The Football Association has taken the unusual step of submitting a claim to extend the standard three-match suspension for Crystal Palace midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn, following a dramatic on-pitch altercation with former teammate Hannah Cain.
The Incident That Sparked the Controversy
The flashpoint occurred during the 58th minute of Sunday's Women's League Cup tie against Leicester City. Littlejohn, a seasoned Republic of Ireland international, was shown a straight red card by referee Alice Parker after she was seen grabbing Leicester's Hannah Cain by the neck, placing her in a headlock, and wrestling her to the ground.
Moments before the physical confrontation, Cain had shoved Littlejohn in the back, an action that appeared to trigger the veteran midfielder's furious response. As the two players fell to the turf, it remains unclear whether Cain tripped over a teammate during the scuffle. However, the referee's decision was immediate and unequivocal.
Background and Potential Consequences
The history between the two players adds a compelling layer to the incident. Both Littlejohn and Cain were teammates at Leicester City, having joined the club in 2020 ahead of its inaugural Women's Super League season. Littlejohn made six appearances for the Foxes before her departure in January 2021.
Littlejohn, 35, moved to second-tier Crystal Palace from Shamrock Rovers in September, bringing with her a wealth of experience, including 93 international caps for Ireland. A three-match ban is the automatic punishment for violent conduct, but the FA is now arguing that this penalty is 'clearly insufficient' for the severity of the incident.
The FA's Official Stance and Next Steps
In an official statement, the FA outlined its position: 'A Claim of Clearly Insufficient Punishment has been submitted against Crystal Palace FC Women's Ruesha Littlejohn following their Women's League Cup fixture against Leicester City FC Women. The player was sent off around the 58th minute for violent conduct, and the standard punishment is a three-match ban, but it's claimed that this penalty is clearly insufficient.'
The governing body can seek a longer ban if it deems an incident to be 'extremely exceptional'. Littlejohn has been given a deadline of Thursday 27 November to provide a formal response to the claim, which will determine the final length of her suspension.
