Katie Chapman in action against Birmingham. picture: fa via getty images

Published: 19 September, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

IT’S make or break time for Arsenal Ladies.

They either have to win this season’s Uefa Champions League or start preparing for life without European football next term.

It comes as a result of Shelley Kerr’s side being deducted three points by the Football Association for fielding an unregistered player.

The punishment relates to England international Katie Chapman’s substitute appearance in the 3-0 win over Liverpool, her first game back following the birth of her third child.

The League Management Committee ordered that the three points gained from the fixture be deducted, leaving the reigning champions third in the Women’s Super League with one match to go and unable to qualify for next year’s Champions League through their league position.

After hearing the news Arsenal Ladies general manager Vic Akers said: “We have always prided ourselves on being a well-run club that do things the right way, and we are extremely disappointed by this decision.

“Following legal advice, we will not be appealing the FA’s ruling. We will instead focus our energies on responding in the right way on the pitch.

“We’ve got the Continental Cup final to prepare for next month and the 2013/14 Champions League campaign to focus on, too, with a round of 32 draw against Kairat from Kazakhstan.

“There’s still lots to play for and everyone in the Arsenal Ladies set-up will now pull together to bounce back from this as quickly as possible.”

The news took the shine off of Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Birmingham on Sunday at Meadow Park.

Having endured goalless draws against Bristol Academy and Lincoln Ladies the Gunners were finally back on target thanks to goals from Jordan Nobbs and Rachel Yankey.

Midfielder Emma Mitchell was sent off for a professional foul in the area on Kirsty Linnett in the 72nd minute but Cherie Rowlands saved Isobel Christiansen’s penalty to prevent a nervous ending for the home side.