Crystal Palace midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn could face a considerable sanction after being sent off in the League Cup match against Leicester City.
The incident occurred when Littlejohn, after an altercation, put Hannah Cain of Leicester City in a “headlock” and took her down.
The Irish player reacted to a small dispute between the opponents during Palace’s 3-0 victory.
After an initial slight push from Littlejohn to Cain, the Welsh player responded by pushing her. The situation escalated when Littlejohn grabbed Cain by the neck and took her to the ground.
Although it’s not clear if they collided with another player when falling, Littlejohn’s action earned her a straight red card.
Both footballers met at Leicester City in the summer of 2020, before the club’s first season in the Women’s Super League. Littlejohn played six matches and left the club in January 2021.
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Littlejohn is now facing a suspension for violent conduct. Although these infractions typically carry a three-game suspension, the penalty could be greater due to the severity of the incident.
The Palace advanced to the quarter-finals of the League Cup and will find out their opponent on Tuesday night.
