Ireland manager Carla Ward slams Littlejohn backlash as 'disgraceful and disgusting'

Carla Ward cited the cases of player Maddy Cusack and manager Matt Beard, both of whom passed in tragic circumstances, as evidence that social media companies need to monitor the abuse which appears on their platforms

Ireland and Crystal Palace midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn was sent off during a League Cup game against Leicester. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Ireland manager Carla Ward has branded the backlash against Ruesha Littlejohn’s red card as “disgusting", urging social media companies to address mental health damage.

The experienced Crystal Palace midfielder is expected to be hit with a hefty ban after slamming Hannah Cain to the ground in Sunday’s English League Cup win over Leicester City. The English FA have stated that the standard three game suspension is ‘clearly insufficient’.