Why have Charlton Athletic been handed a 3-0 win over Portsmouth in the Women’s League Cup? | OneFootball

 (Credit: Jay Patel/SPP)

Charlton Athletic have automatically been handed a 3-0 win over Portsmouth in the Women’s League Cup.

The sides that both play in the Women’s Super League 2 were due to meet on Sunday, October 19th.

Portsmouth, though, declared that they were unable to fulfil the fixture.

A statement from WSL Football read: “In accordance with competition rule 10.4.21, WSL Football’s Executive Operational Committee have awarded Charlton Athletic Women a 3-0 win in the Subway Women’s League Cup Group Stage after Portsmouth FC Women were unable to fulfil the fixture.”

Why were Portsmouth unable to play their League Cup clash with Charlton?

Portsmouth pulled out of their match with Charlton due to an ‘unprecedented number of injuries’.

Head coach Jay Sadler only had nine outfield players available, with a further 13 out injured at the time.

Four players are out with long-term ACL injuries in Annie Hutchings, Lucy Johnson, Emily Pitman and Jazz Younger.

Several other players had short-term injuries while Izzy Collins was serving a one-match suspension.

The clash was followed by the international break, meaning Portsmouth had enough players in their squad by the time of their WSL2 clash with Crystal Palace on November 2nd.

Portsmouth revealed they initially requested that the match be postponed.

However, they were informed by WSL Football that this would not be available, forcing Portsmouth to withdraw from the match.

Have there been any other League Cup games awarded to teams?

It is not the first time in Women’s League Cup history that a game has been awarded to a team.

Aston Villa beat Sunderland 7-0 during the 2023-24 season. However, Sunderland were awarded the win after Aston Villa were found guilty of fielding an ineligible cup-tied player.

There have also been several games that have been cancelled.

In the 2022-23 season, Sunderland vs Blackburn Rovers was cancelled after two weather-related postponements. Ultimately, the match was cancelled, as neither team was able to progress from the group stage.

Charlton’s clash with Blackburn in the 2020-21 campaign was also cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There have been no notable instances in the Women’s Super League, however Chelsea’s clash with Manchester United last season was postponed due to player welfare reasons.

Chelsea were due to play United just two days after playing Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League.

How does the result leave the Women’s League Cup table?

Charlton move up to three points, level with Southampton in their Women’s League Cup group.

Portsmouth are bottom with zero points but the two favourites to advance are West Ham and Brighton who top the group with six points.

Meanwhile, Charlton top the WSL 2 with 17 points and are due to face Southampton on Sunday.

The club have just announced the appointment of Rosi Webb as their women’s U21 coach.

Portsmouth are 11th with six points and face Sunderland this weekend.