Ruesha Littlejohn facing lengthy ban for ‘WWE-style takedown’ on opponent in viral clip

Crystal Palace midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn’s act on a rival was so severe, the FA felt its standard red card punishment was ‘clearly insufficient’.

Littlejohn, the twin sister of talkSPORT presenter Shebahn Aherne, was sent off in the 58th minute of Palace’s 3-0 Women’s League Cup win over Leicester City after she put Foxes forward Hannah Cain into a headlock and tossed her onto the ground.

The incident stemmed from a tackle that did not involve Littlejohn or Cain.

But the pair exchanged shoves in the back before Littlejohn brought down Cain and gave the referee little choice but to send her off.

For a player who receives a straight red card for violent conduct, they will receive a three-match ban.

However, in exceptional circumstances, the FA can pursue a stricter punishment if they deem it necessary.

That’s what has transpired as the FA confirmed in a statement on Tuesday it would seek a harsher penalty for Littlejohn.

What did the FA say in their statement regarding Ruesha Littlejohn’s red card?

“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 FA statement read.

“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.”

Should the FA’s claim be successful, an independent commission will rule on a new punishment.

But if it is thrown out, Littlejohn will be banned for the standard three games.

Should the FA’s claim be rejected, Littlejohn will miss Palace’s fixtures against Birmingham City, Lewes and Arsenal.

BBC

The 35-year-old would be eligible to make her return to action on December 21 away to Bristol City.

Littlejohn, who hosts a women’s football show with her twin sister on talkSPORT, has until Thursday to provide a response.

How did fans react to Ruesha Littlejohn’s red card?

Football fans were quick to express their disgust on social media once footage of the incident emerged.

One supporter wrote on X: “If Hannah landed any differently she could have been seriously injured. This is genuinely appalling by Ruesha.”

Another said: “I do hope Hannah Cain is OK after that, but this is beyond unacceptable on a football pitch. For someone as experienced as Ruesha Littlejohn to do that is outrageous. Hefty ban coming you’d think.”

A third said: “Ruesha Littlejohn let herself down in that moment on Sunday. She will get a lengthy ban and rightly so.”

Leicester City via Getty

Littlejohn joined Crystal Palace in September, marking her return to English football after a brief stint in Ireland with Shamrock Rovers.

The move to the Eagles marked the 20th club Littlejohn represented in her career, which has also included stints at the likes of London City Lionesses, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Celtic.

Littlejohn has also represented Ireland on 93 occasions, including at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.