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Ruesha Littlejohn Faces Lengthy Ban For Hannah Cain Red Card

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Crystal Palace women’s midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn is now facing the threat of a lengthy ban after receiving a shocking red card during the Eagles’ 3-0 win over Leicester City in the League Cup on Sunday evening. The Republic of Ireland international’s altercation with Hannah Cain has quickly gathered attention.

Littlejohn, who played for the Foxes between 2020 and 2021, initially gave Cain a slight push as she went to check on a teammate. Cain then responded by shoving Littlejohn in the back, and the situation quickly escalated into ugly scenes at the King Power Stadium.

The incident occurred in the 90th minute, with Palace already leading 3-0. They went on to win the match and progress to the knockout stages. However, with footage of the clash only now being released, it may be some time before referee Alice Parker’s decision to show Littlejohn a straight red card reaches its final conclusion, given the nature of the incident.

Ruesha Littlejohn’s Shocking Red Card Against Leicester City

Ruesha Littlejohn

Push turned to shove and provoked a furious reaction from the Palace midfielder, who grabbed Cain, put her in a headlock, and wrestled her to the floor. It was unclear whether Littlejohn tripped over a teammate as the pair went down, but her actions left the officials with little choice but to give her her marching orders. Watch the incident below:

The footage above has quickly gone viral and sparked widespread shock across the women’s football world – it’s the kind of incident you rarely ever see in a non-combat sport. “Not going to lie, I’d have her arrested for that,” one X user commented, while another added:

“This is one of the worst things I’ve seen on a football pitch. What the hell was she thinking?! She could have broken her bloody neck.”

A third wrote: “If this was done off the pitch, it’s borderline a criminal act. How an experienced player does this, is absolutely beyond me. Foul is too soft of a word for this.” Elsewhere, a fourth concluded: “Absolutely no way she’s only getting banned for three games for this.”

Littlejohn’s Potential Punishment for Violent Conduct

A close-up image of a referee brandishing a red card

As per The Telegraph, violent conduct offences usually result in a three-game ban, but players can be given a longer suspension if their actions are deemed particularly severe. The guidelines for these type of offence is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a teammate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made.

In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible. In Littlejohn’s case, the severity of her challenge on Cain certainly warrants a review into whether she deserves a harsher punishment.

Examples of bans being extended in the Premier League include when Fulham striker Aleksandr Mitrovic was suspended for eight matches after pushing an official, while Luis Suarez was given a 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic.

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Chelsea’s Post Savaging Arsenal After Champions League Final Loss Goes Viral

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Chelsea have immediately poked fun at their London rivals Arsenal on social media with a viral post following the Gunners’ penalty shootout defeat to PSG in the Champions League final.

The Premier League champions took an early lead in the game through Kai Havertz, but they were pulled level by their Ligue 1 counterparts when Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty around the hour mark.

While both teams pushed for a winner, neither could be separated in regulation time nor extra time, meaning penalties would be needed for just the 12th time in the final of the Champions League.

Misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes proved costly for Arsenal, as PSG retained the crown as champions of Europe, while the Gunners were mere inches from winning the title for the first time in the club’s history.

That led to some rival fans poking fun at the side for coming so close, yet so far from glory, with Chelsea leading the pack with shots fired on social media.

Chelsea Mock Arsenal Over Champions League Final Loss

Desire Doue (L) of PSG challenges William Saliba (R) of Arsenal in the Champions League final

Shortly after Arsenal’s defeat in the Champions League final, Chelsea took to social media to have a cheeky dig at the Gunners for their lack of a European title.

The club posted on X and said: “Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now.”

The timing is hardly a coincidence, with the post showing off the Champions League and the Club World Cup, two tournaments that Arsenal are yet to add to their trophy cabinet.

Chelsea’s inclusion of the two stars in the post were also a not-so subtle hint at the Blues sealing two Champions League wins in their history, claiming the title in 2012 and 2021.

It didn’t take long for the post to go viral, with the West London outfit stealing a march on others who were looking to poke fun at Arsenal for their misery.

Tottenham star Richarlison later joined in, posting a video of a child laughing on his Instagram story, before posting a flushed emoji in an indirect shot aimed at his North London rivals.

It also continues an ongoing fued between Gabriel and Richarlison, with the pair often trading digs at each other on social media through the years.

The Gunners may have the last laugh, with their Premier League trophy parade on Sunday, but how they would’ve desperately wanted to add a Champions League trophy into the mix.

Arsenal And Chelsea Trophy Comparison

Arsenal's Martin Odegaard lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Premier League

With Arsenal missing out on an opportunity to add European silverware to their trophy cabinet, Chelsea remain the team ahead when it comes to battling on the continent.

The two teams have varying success through the years when it comes to winning trophies, with more records fairing on the side of the Gunners.

Competition(s)

Arsenal won

Chelsea won

Premier League/First Division

14

6

FA Cup

14

8

League Cup

2

5

Community Shield

17

4

UEFA competitions

1

9

International competitions

1

2


Ranking the biggest teams to never win the Champions League featuring Arsenal and Atletico Madrid


Ranking the 12 Biggest Clubs to Never Win the Champions League

The Champions League has brought some dark memories for several of Europe’s biggest clubs.

When it comes to the domestic success, Arsenal certainly have a more established history than their rivals, but it is Chelsea who lead in Europe and internationally.

Both have areas they will be looking to build even more success in, having been among England’s most successful clubs in history. It won’t be the first or last time Arsenal and Chelsea will fire shots after a final, or update their trophy count.

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Aston Villa Want to Trigger Moritz Nicolas Release Clause

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Aston Villa are preparing for another season in the Champions League next season, and are ready to trigger the release clause of a Bundesliga star to bolster their squad.

Unai Emery’s side claimed a spot in the top competition in Europe by winning the Europa League final against Freiburg, while they also finished fourth in the Premier League in a fine campaign.

But the club are now preparing for the new season and are anticipating a potential change of goalkeeper being necessary amid question marks over the future of Emiliano Martinez, and a target has been identified.

Aston Villa Open Talks for Nicolas

Unai Emery

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Aston Villa have now opened talks with Borussia Moenchengladbach over a deal to sign Moritz Nicolas.

Nicolas, who has been described as ‘exceptional’, enjoyed a phenomenal Bundesliga campaign this season with 13 clean sheets in 34 appearances, more than anyone else except for Borussia Dortmund star Gregor Kobel.

But Villa are anticipating more interest in current number one Martinez, who was heavily linked with a move to Man Utd last summer, and that has seen them begin the process to replace him.

Emery is keen to add a younger, ambitious goalkeeper to the squad to compete with him even if he stays, and Nicolas is considered to be a top target.

The 28-year-old has a £13m release clause in his contract, but Villa are understood to be willing to pay it as they consider him to be worth even more than that with his top-flight experience. It’s also noted that Nicolas is open to making the move to Villa Park, despite interest from elsewhere too.

Aston Villa Planning for Change

emiliano martinez

Aston Villa have had a terrific campaign this year, and they want to carry that momentum into next season, despite the uncertainty around several members of their first-team squad.

Martinez is one of the first names on their team sheet, and while his exit would be a big blow, it’s something they’re likely to have been preparing for for several transfer windows considering the speculation around his future.

Nicolas would be a top signing considering the fee and his experience in the top-flight, and Villa’s hierarchy are ready to make it happen.


Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks on


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My Football Idol was Man United Cult Hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has exclusively revealed to GIVEMESPORT who his footballing idol was, and it’s a face familiar to fans at Old Trafford.

Sesko has just completed the first season of his career at the Red Devils following a £74m move from RB Leipzig last summer, where he finished the season as the club’s joint top scorer with 11 goals in all competitions, including strikes against Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, and Everton.

The 22-year-old has excited fans at the club with his high intensity and highly athletic style, and is tipped by many to become the long-term solution to the number nine position in years to come.

sesko

While speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the Slovenia international was asked about his greatest influences and footballing idols growing up, and he revealed that his main influence is a man who lit up Old Trafford during his career.

“My idol is Ibrahimovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” he said. “Great player, of course. He was amazing. I looked at him a lot, but not just him.

“Just in general football, skills, goals, it was just something that I used to try to go out and copy. It could be in the summer when it’s really hot, I just wanted to get better.”

Ibrahimovic joined Man Utd on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain back in the summer of 2016, and scored a brilliant 28 goals in 46 appearances in his debut season, helping the club win the Carabao Cup and the Europa League under Jose Mourinho.

But he suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of that campaign, and while he returned to feature seven times the next campaign, the Sweden legend then departed mid-season to move to the MLS with LA Galaxy.

Sesko Reveals ‘Love’ for Cunha, Fernandes, and Mbeumo

Manchester United's Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko react after the match

During his exclusive interview with GMS, Sesko was also asked about his relationship with his current teammates, having joined alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha last summer.

All three players notched double digits for goals in their first season at the club, and Sesko believes the relationship they have off the pitch has contributed to their success on it.

“I think everyone has different kinds of skills that they can bring on the pitch, which is really important,” he said.

“We don’t have everyone with similarities, and it’s important in the club that they have all these skills. I think we’re all really skilled, and the quality that we brought this season, I think we can be more than happy.

“Not just that, I think we also work great as friends. It’s important to have good relationships that can bring success in the end.”


Benjamin Sesko with his Man United team-mates


Benjamin Sesko: Why I Play so well with Bruno Fernandes, Amad and Matheus Cunha

Exclusive: Benjamin Sesko reveals why he plays so well with Bruno Fernandes, Amad and Matheus Cunha

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