WSL: Villa docked points but stay in women’s League Cup at Man Utd’s expense

Aston Villa docked points for fielding ineligible player, still advances to quarterfinals; Manchester United expresses disappointment.

Manchester United’s Nikita Parris celebrates scoring the second goal. | Photo Credit: Action Images via Reuters

Aston Villa was docked three points on Monday for fielding an ineligible player in a women’s FA League Cup group stage game but still went through to the quarterfinals at Manchester United’s expense.

United reacted by saying it was very disappointed with the outcome of the independent tribunal and did not understand the rationale.

“We feel that it undermines the integrity of the competition and of the women’s game. We are considering our options in response,” they added.

Villa admitted Swiss defender Noelle Maritz was ineligible for the Jan. 24 game at Sunderland, because she had played in the competition for a former club, and acknowledged the breach. Maritz joined Villa earlier in January from Arsenal.

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The FA said the independent tribunal ordered the points deducted from Aston Villa be awarded to Sunderland and the 7-0 scoreline expunged from the record.

Sunderland ended up as Group A winners with the extra points while Villa went through as one of two best-placed runners-up with Tottenham Hotspur. United finished second in Group B but trailed Villa on goal difference.