The Women’s Super League has launched a formal investigation after Crystal Palace breached substitution regulations in their 1–0 victory over Everton on Sunday. The league confirmed that Palace used four substitution windows in the match, exceeding the permitted maximum of three, and said it would conduct an inquiry alongside both clubs and the referee body, Pro Ref.

Under WSL rules, teams may make up to five changes during a game, but those changes must be completed within three separate stoppages. Palace’s substitutions came in the 62nd, 83rd, 90th and 97th minutes, with Abbie Larkin, Ashleigh Weerden, Allyson Swaby and Kirsty Howat introduced in those windows. The final change—Howat replacing Shannon O’Brien in the seventh minute of stoppage time—constituted the fourth window and triggered the breach.

The result itself was a significant moment for Palace, who marked their immediate return to the top flight with a narrow win at the Borough Sports Ground. Lexi Lloyd‑Smith scored the only goal in the 34th minute, intercepting a pass and sliding the ball past Courtney Brosnan to secure a winning start to their 2026–27 campaign.

The focus now shifts to the disciplinary process. The WSL’s statement acknowledged the violation and confirmed that an investigation would follow, but it did not specify an automatic sanction. Potential outcomes could range from a warning or fine to more serious sporting penalties, depending on the findings of the review. Until then, the 1–0 result stands in the table.

For Palace, the incident adds an unwanted subplot to an otherwise positive return under manager Jo Potter. The club’s priority will be to demonstrate that the breach was an isolated procedural error rather than a systemic failure in matchday preparation, and to ensure that future substitutions are managed strictly within the competition’s protocols.