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This video can not be played 'Unnecessary nonsense! ' Littlejohn 'wrestles' player to the ground Crystal Palace midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn has been given an extended five-match ban for violent conduct after grabbing an opponent by the neck and throwing her to the ground. The 35-year-old Republic of Ireland international clashed with Leicester's Hannah Cain during their League Cup game on 23 November. After being pushed by Cain, Littlejohn put her arm around the Leicester player's neck and slammed her head into the ground. Cain required treatment on the pitch - although she was able to finish the game - while Littlejohn was given a straight red card. The standard punishment for violent conduct is a three-game ban, however the Football Association pushed for an extended suspension as they felt the standard punishment was "clearly insufficient". And an extended punishment has been imposed by the regulatory commission following a hearing. Leicester manager Rick Passmoor said Cain was "shaken up" by the incident but is ready to face Manchester City on Sunday in their first Women's Super League match after the international break. "She was upset and shook up, " Passmoor told his media conference on Friday. "Today was her first day back in after internationals and she is in good spirits. " Ruesha Littlejohn was given a straight red card during Crystal Palace's 3-0 win over Leicester Littlejohn, who joined Women's Super League 2 side Crystal Palace in the summer, will now be out of action until after the winter break. She will miss second-tier Palace's meeting with European champions Arsenal in the League Cup quarter-finals on December 19. Littlejohn will also miss the FA Cup second round tie with Lewes, and three WSL2 matches against Birmingham, Bristol City and Sheffield United. The veteran midfielder has said she "regretted" the incident with Wales international Cain. "Obviously I regret letting my emotions spill over on the pitch, " she said at a media conference with Republic of Ireland during the international break. "I'm quite an emotional person and player. "That's not who I want to be on the pitch, so I will learn from it and move forward. " Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward said Littlejohn had been subject to an "outpouring" of "disgusting" abuse after the incident. "She is a human being, " said Ward, who previously managed Littlejohn at Aston Villa and Birmingham City. "She's someone's daughter and sister. It's not OK. "I look at Ruesha - and it's not just because I've got a long-standing relationship with her. Some of the stuff I've seen this week has been disgusting. "She has acknowledged it was a moment that she deeply regrets. "We're not talking about defending the incident here. We're talking about what follows and we need to do more to protect players. " Follow your club with BBC Sport Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone The World Cup draw is here - this is how it will work 'Never going to be perfect' - Root defends 'jaded' England over drops Norris fastest as he makes good start in Abu Dhabi The rise and fall of four powerful civilisations Wole Soyinka gives his account of Nigeria's Biafra war Festive family fun with Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen Martin Lewis on how to make yourself more attractive to lenders 'Never going to be perfect' - Root defends 'jaded' England over drops 'A wonderful miracle' - how Messi & Beckham made Miami shine The World Cup draw is here - this is how it will work Frustration and anger - why 'huge question marks' hang over Man Utd Memorable O'Sullivan moments as snooker great turns 50 'No more Average Joe as Root century seals all-time great status' 'I'm too driven. .. I never settle for not good enough' - Verstappen in-depth on title race Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week? Trump and Infantino - too close for comfort? What's on Nancy's Celtic to-do list? How abnormal drugs test saved NFL player from cancer Success in 2025 - are the Lionesses ready for 2026? Where F1 title may be won and lost in three-way fight BBC to show Sabalenka v Kyrgios in 'Battle of Sexes' 'A fearless hero for hapless England' - Robin Smith obituary What's behind snooker's 147 boom? 'Raise hell' - the fastest bowler you might not have heard of Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.