Women’s premier league: Arsenal hit by points blow

Arsenal Ladies have had three points deducted for fielding an unregistered player, England international Katie Chapman.

She came on as a substitute against Liverpool on 3 August, a game Arsenal won 3-0, in her first match back after the birth of her third child.

The decision means her club, who lie third in the Women’s Premier League with one match still to play, cannot now qualify for next year’s Champions League.

Arsenal have played in Europe every season since 2005-06, but can now only qualify if they win this year’s competition.