Five match ban for Ruesha Littlejohn
An unusually long suspension was handed to Crystal Palace’s Irish midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn after she received a red card.
- Ruesha Littlejohn, midfielder for Crystal Palace,was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after a dramatic incident during their Women’s League Cup match against Leicester City Women on 24 November 2025. In the 58th minute, she put opponent Hannah Cain in a headlock and wrestled her to the ground — a move widely described as a “WWE-style takedown.”
- The fallout has been swift: although a straight red would normally trigger a standard three-match ban, the governing body The Football Association (FA) has submitted a claim that this penalty is “clearly insufficient” — which means Littlejohn now faces the possibility of a much longer suspension.
- The incident has drawn widespread criticism from media and fans alike, given its severity and the perceived danger — many commentators have called the tackle out as way beyond the usual bounds of physical play in women’s football.
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