by Our Sports Desk

MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Jill Scott was suspended for three games yesterday, as the Football Association took action against the player’s headbutt of an opponent on Sunday during City’s Women’s Super League loss to Arsenal.

Described as “out of character” for the midfielder by City manager Nick Cushing, the headbutt means Scott will now miss crucial league ties against Liverpool and WSL table-topping Chelsea, as well as their FA Women’s Cup semi-final against the south London Blues on May 4.

“She’s been an exceptional player for us and she puts in unbelievable performances every week so it’s disappointing,” Cushing said.

This means the England international will not play a competitive match before this summer’s World Cup, which begins on June 6.

Taking to Twitter on Sunday to apologise for her rash behaviour, Scott said: “I want to apologise for the incident which led to me being sent off. Gutted to let everyone @MCWFC down.”

Having fallen behind to the Chioma Ubogagu’s first-half goal for the Gunners, City’s loss of Scott in the second half hindered their chances of clawing a way back into the game.

Scott reacted angrily to a challenge from Gunners defender Jade Bailey and was shown a straight red.

After the game, manager Cushing said: “We started the second half well, we looked like we were really pushing, but the red card was an own goal.

“This team has an unbelievable work ethic and sometimes enthusiasm takes over intelligence.”

The midfielder’s red card comes just three weeks after City teammate Karen Bardsley received a three-match ban for a punch-up with Birmingham forward Freda Ayisi.

Cushing expressed disappointment at the club’s recent disciplinary problems: “As a club we want people to come watch and then come back so these sort of incidents go against that and leave a bitter taste in our mouths.”