Women's Super League investigates Crystal Palace for rule breach
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 11:20 AM
Last updated Sep 7, 2026
The Women's Super League is investigating Crystal Palace after the club used four substitution windows during Sunday's match against Everton. While league regulations limit teams to a maximum of three substitution opportunities per match, Crystal Palace introduced players in the 62nd, 83rd, 90th, and 97th minutes. Crystal Palace won the match 1-0 at the Borough Sports Ground following a first-half goal by Lexi Lloyd-Smith. The league confirmed an investigation is underway alongside both clubs and the officiating body Pro Ref. Referee Megan Wilson and her team have reportedly been stood down from the next round of fixtures while the matter is reviewed. Potential sanctions range from warnings and fines to points deductions, though no automatic penalty is prescribed by the current competition rules.
- •Crystal Palace used four substitution windows instead of the permitted three.
- •The breach occurred during a 1-0 victory against Everton at the Borough Sports Ground.
- •League officials and Pro Ref are investigating the incident alongside both clubs.
- •Referee Megan Wilson and her assistants are off the roster for the next round of fixtures.
- 11:20 AMThe Guardian Sport — WSL talking points: Palace result in doubt after substitution nightmare, Arsenal signings shine
- 9:37 PMYahoo Sports — WSL investigating after Palace break substitution rules
- 9:37 PMBBC Sport — WSL investigating after Palace break substitution rules
- 9:31 PMYahoo Sports — WSL investigating rule breach by Crystal Palace Women, as match officials stood down
"Promoted side’s thrilling win may be overturned after they used four substitutions windows while Georgia Stanway show the way for Gunners Kirsty Howat’s 60-second cameo deep into injury time could ruin what was a memorable day for Crystal Palace on their return to the top flight. An impressive 1-0 victory over Everton was celebrated emphatically by Jo Potter and her players but that joy would have been replaced by concern and frustration not long after. On Sunday evening WSL Football revealed that there had been a breach of the rules – the Eagles used four different substitute windows rather than the regulated three – which had not been picked up by either the coaching staff or the match officials. An investigation has now been launched with punishment to be decided (there is a potential for the result to be overturned). The needless error has put a dampener on what should have been a positive afternoon thanks to England Under-23s forward Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s winner on her WSL debut. Sophie Downey Continue reading...
"The team of officials for Crystal Palace Women’s win over Everton in the Women’s Super League (WSL) have been stood down from the next round of fixtures while the league investigates how Palace were allowed to make substitutes during four different windows during Sunday’s match. WSL sides are allowed to make five substitutes across three different windows but Palace introduced players in the 62nd, 83rd, 90th and 97th minutes of the 1-0 win over Everton at Gander Green Lane. Their final substitut
"The Women's Super League says an investigation is underway after Crystal Palace use four substitution windows in their win over Everton.
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportSep 7, 2026, 11:20 AMWSL talking points: Palace result in doubt after substitution nightmare, Arsenal signings shine
Promoted side’s thrilling win may be overturned after they used four substitutions windows while Georgia Stanway show the way for Gunners Kirsty Howat’s 60-second cameo deep into injury time could ruin what was a memorable day for Crystal Palace on their return to the top flight. An impressive 1-0 victory over Everton was celebrated emphatically by Jo Potter and her players but that joy would have been replaced by concern and frustration not long after. On Sunday evening WSL Football revealed that there had been a breach of the rules – the Eagles used four different substitute windows rather than the regulated three – which had not been picked up by either the coaching staff or the match officials. An investigation has now been launched with punishment to be decided (there is a potential for the result to be overturned). The needless error has put a dampener on what should have been a positive afternoon thanks to England Under-23s forward Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s winner on her WSL debut. Sophie Downey Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 9:37 PMWSL investigating after Palace break substitution rules
The Women's Super League says an investigation is underway after Crystal Palace use four substitution windows in their win over Everton.
- BBC SportSep 6, 2026, 9:37 PMWSL investigating after Palace break substitution rules
The Women's Super League says an investigation is underway after Crystal Palace use four substitution windows in their win over Everton.
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 9:31 PMWSL investigating rule breach by Crystal Palace Women, as match officials stood down
The team of officials for Crystal Palace Women’s win over Everton in the Women’s Super League (WSL) have been stood down from the next round of fixtures while the league investigates how Palace were allowed to make substitutes during four different windows during Sunday’s match. WSL sides are allowed to make five substitutes across three different windows but Palace introduced players in the 62nd, 83rd, 90th and 97th minutes of the 1-0 win over Everton at Gander Green Lane. Their final substitut
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