Crystal Palace Women could have points deducted as WSL investigate major rule break

The WSL has launched an investigation into Crystal Palace making substitutes on four separate occasions in their win over Everton.

Palace earned the 1-0 triumph at home to the Toffees but run the risk of the match being replayed, or even having points taken away from them for the rule break.

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Eagles boss Jo Potter made four substitutions during the game, with Abbie Larkin, Ashleigh Weerden, Allyson Swaby and Kirsty Howat all coming on.

While managers are permitted to make up to five substitutions during matches, they must be done within three windows.

The introductions of Larkin, Weerden, Swaby and Howat all happened on separate occasions, on minutes 62, 83, 90, as well as the seventh minute of stoppage-time.

It’s reported that the officials of the Crystal Palace vs Everton clash will not be assigned games during next weekend’s WSL and WSL 2 fixtures.

This comes on a day Palace Women’s academy team had a match against AFC Wimbledon abandoned with Palace being reduced to six players.

Women’s Super League statement

“We can confirm that there was a breach of competition rules in the Crystal Palace vs Everton match,” a WSL statement read.

“Crystal Palace used a fourth substitution opportunity during a fourth stoppage in play, when the rules permit a maximum of three substitution opportunities per match.

“We will now conduct an investigation alongside both clubs and Pro Ref and update in due course.”

Week one chaos in WSL

What should have been a dream return to the WSL could prove to be an administrative nightmare for Palace.

Having earned promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking last term, Palace edged to victory against a potential relegation rival in Everton.

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Lloyd-Smith’s strike gave Palace the win on the day, the forward pinching the ball off Everton defender Ruby Mace just inside the away side’s half before bearing down on goal and poking past Courtney Brosnan.

The other matches in the opening weekend of the WSL went off without any rule-breaking hitch, however.

The season began on Friday night with London City Lionesses claiming the scalp of Manchester United at the Cooperjax Community Stadium.

Reigning champions Manchester City breezed to a 3-1 win at home to Birmingham, while Arsenal edged to a 1-0 win at Brighton.

Chelsea were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa and there were also opening weekend wins for Tottenham and Liverpool, who are top of the table.