Crystal Palace forward Ruesha Littlejohn is facing a longer ban than the standard three match suspension for violent conduct following her red card against Leicester City.
The BBC reports the former Arsenal striker could receive an extended punishment, raising questions about FA consistency given past incidents involving serious injuries went unpunished.
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Littlejohn received a red card after getting her arm around opponent Cain’s neck during a melee involving six players. However, only the Scottish international was sent off despite five other players being involved in the incident, with no bookings issued to anyone else.
Inconsistent Application of Rules
The sequence began when Blanchard and McLoughlin tangled up, leading to a foul. Kicking on the floor followed before Tierney arrived pushing Blanchard down. Littlejohn pushed Cain, who reacted by pushing back while Tierney and Blanchard wrestled.
Crystal Palace's Ruesha Littlejohn has been handed an extended five-match ban for violent conduct after grabbing an opponent by the neck and throwing her to the ground. pic.twitter.com/voNqzr4MR1
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 5, 2025
Littlejohn then got her hand around Cain’s neck before being simultaneously tripped by McLoughlin and pushed by teammate Nolan.
While the red card is justified, the FA should also charge both teams for failing to control their players given six were involved in the melee. The referee’s decision to not book the other five participants lacks logical consistency.
Past Leg Breakers Avoided Extended Bans
The FA’s approach contrasts sharply with past incidents involving Aaron Ramsey, Eduardo and Petr Cech. The player who fractured Cech’s skull received no ban despite the severity, while attacks on Eduardo and Ramsey resulted in mere three match suspensions.
Where is the consistency? Two players sent Littlejohn flying while she had her arm around Cain’s neck, creating a dangerous situation. How is this different from going full power against an opponent’s leg or head? PGMOL remains lenient on fouling and both organizations fail to adequately protect players’ physical integrity.
Also read: How Long Has Ruesha Littlejohn Been Banned for After Wild Takedown as FA Deems Standard Punishment “Clearly Insufficient”