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The FA has submitted a claim to extend Ruesha Littlejohn’s three-match ban after the Crystal Palace and Ireland midfielder was sent off for placing former team-mate Hannah Cain in a headlock and wrestling her to the ground.
Littlejohn saw red in the 58th minute of Sunday’s League Cup tie against Leicester after grabbing Cain by the neck and rolling her onto the turf.
Moments earlier, Cain had shoved her in the back, seemingly sparking the altercation before she was hauled to the floor.
It remains unclear whether she tripped over a team-mate as they fell, but referee Alice Parker immediately produced a red card.
Both players joined Leicester City in 2020 ahead of the club’s first Women’s Super League season. Littlejohn made six appearances before departing in January 2021.
An experienced Ireland international, Littlejohn, 35, moved to second-tier Palace from Shamrock Rovers in September, bringing 93 caps and extensive top-flight experience.
Crystal Palace star Ruesha Littlejohn faces the prospect of an extended ban following her confrontation with Leicester's Hannah Cain
The veteran Irish midfielder could be seen seizing Cain around the upper body before dramatically throwing her to the ground
It remains unclear whether she tripped over a team-mate as they fell, by the FA has submitted a claim that the standard three-match ban for violent conduct is 'clearly insufficient'
A three-match suspension is the standard punishment for violent conduct, but the FA may seek a longer ban if it considers an incident ‘extremely exceptional’.
A statement from the FA read: ‘A Claim of Clearly Insufficient Punishment has been submitted against Crystal Palace FC Women’s Ruesha Littlejohn following their Women’s League Cup fixture against Leicester City FC Women.
‘The player was sent off around the 58th minute for violent conduct, and the standard punishment is a three-match ban, but it’s claimed that this penalty is clearly insufficient.
‘Ruesha Littlejohn has until Thursday 27 November to provide a response.’
