Incident Overview
Ruesha Littlejohn, a midfielder for Crystal Palace, is likely to receive a significant suspension following an incident during a League Cup match against Leicester City last Sunday. The Republic of Ireland international was shown a red card after she placed Leicester’s Hannah Cain in a headlock and brought her to the ground, an altercation that stemmed from a brief confrontation between the two players earlier in the game.
Details of the Altercation
The situation escalated when Littlejohn, who joined Crystal Palace in September, initially pushed Cain, prompting Cain to retaliate by shoving Littlejohn back. The 35-year-old’s subsequent actions of grabbing Cain by the neck were deemed excessively violent, resulting in her immediate dismissal from the match. Though it’s unclear if Littlejohn stumbled over another player as they fell, her behavior was serious enough to warrant a straight red card.
Background Information
Both athletes had signed on with Leicester City in the summer of 2020, coinciding with the club’s first season in the Women’s Super League after earning promotion. Littlejohn played a total of six matches before parting ways with the team in January 2021 after a brief stay.
Consequences and Next Steps
Following this incident, Littlejohn faces a mandatory suspension for violent conduct. Typically, such actions result in at least a three-match ban, but the suspension could be extended if deemed severe. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace has advanced to the quarterfinals of the League Cup, with their next opponent to be revealed on Tuesday evening.
