Ruesha Littlejohn: Crystal Palace midfielder receives longer ban for violent conduct
Ruesha Littlejohn, the Crystal Palace midfielder, has been handed an extended five-match suspension after an incident of violent conduct where she grabbed an opponent by the neck and threw her to the ground.
The clash occurred with Leicester’s Hannah Cain during a League Cup fixture on 23 November. Following a push from Cain, Littlejohn wrapped an arm around Cain’s neck and drove her head into the pitch. Cain needed on-pitch treatment but was able to continue, while Littlejohn was shown a straight red card.
Typically, violent conduct carries a three-game ban. However, the Football Association argued for a lengthier suspension, deeming the standard penalty “clearly insufficient” and the extension was approved by the regulatory commission after a hearing.
Leicester manager Rick Passmoor stated that Cain was shaken by the incident but is ready to face Manchester City in their upcoming Women’s Super League clash after the international break. “She was upset and shaken,” Passmoor said at his Friday media briefing. “Today is her first day back after international duty, and she is in good spirits.”
Littlejohn, who joined Crystal Palace in the Women’s Super League 2 this summer, will be sidelined until after the winter break. This means she will miss Palace’s League Cup quarter-final against European champions Arsenal on 19 December, as well as the FA Cup second-round tie with Lewes and three WSL2 fixtures against Birmingham, Bristol City, and Sheffield United.
The veteran midfielder has expressed remorse for the incident with Wales international Cain. “Obviously I regret letting my emotions spill over on the pitch,” she said during an Ireland training camp. “I’m a passionate person, but that’s not the player I want to be. I’ll learn from this and move forward.”
Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward noted the intense backlash Littlejohn faced, describing it as an “outpouring” of “disgusting” abuse. Ward emphasized the need to protect players and reminded everyone that Littlejohn is a human being—someone’s daughter and sister. “She has acknowledged it was a moment she deeply regrets,” Ward added. The focus, she said, should be on what happens next and on safeguarding players in the future.
