FA charge Birmingham Women for playing suspended Ruesha Littlejohn against Reading
BIRMINGHAM WOMEN have been charged by the FA for fielding Ruesha Littlejohn in a WSL match when she was suspended.
And the Republic of Ireland International has also been charged following her appearance in Blues' 1-1 draw against Reading.
FA officials claim the team, who play Manchester City next, “failed to ensure that a player registered with the club complied with an automatic suspension".
And Littlejohn, 30, who has made 11 WSL appearances this term, has been accused of “failing to comply with an automatic suspension by participating in the fixture".
The BBC reports Birmingham have been under the impression that Littlejohn had fulfilled her ban in the match preceding the clash with Reading.
That game was Blues’ 5-1 trouncing of Coventry United in the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup.
Birmingham say the fielding of Littlejohn in the match against Reading, on April 25, was due to “an administrative error”.
The club says it “unequivocally supports” the midfielder and “will be making no further comments”.
An FA tribunal is set to review the case and the outcome could potentially have implications for Birmingham’s battle to remain in the top flight.
Should the team face points deduction it could leave them in danger of relegation from the WSL
Carla Ward’s side will travel to Man City before their end-of-season home game against Tottenham on May 9.
The team, who are three points above the drop zone, are hoping for a strong finish to their season following their draw with Aston Villa.
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And Ward praised the grit her side have shown in a season which has seen them battling with injuries and
The Birmingham boss said: “These players have got more resilience than any group I have ever worked with.
“They are a tough and tight knit group who look after each other.”
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