In a dramatic and unexpected turn of events, Fulham FC Women (FFCW) have withdrawn from the League Cup Final just hours before it was due to start.
The final, scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday 27 April at Gallagher Stadium, has been thrown into turmoil following Fulham’s admission that they fielded an ineligible player in earlier rounds of the competition. Their opponents, Dartford FC Women, had announced just an hour earlier the match would be postponed.
The news broke early Saturday morning when Fulham released an official statement confirming they would be pulling out of the tournament. Fulham said the issue came to light only on Friday, prompting an urgent internal review. Upon confirming the breach of player eligibility rules, the club immediately notified the league of their intention to withdraw.
Huw Jennings, Fulham’s Head of Football Development, expressed the club’s deep regret over the incident.
“We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to all those who have been affected by this oversight: the league and its officers; the players, officials and supporters of Dartford, Millwall, Brentford and Denham United. We would also like to apologise to our own supporters, especially those who were planning to attend the final this Sunday.”
Just an hour before Fulham’s withdrawal, Dartford FC Women had announced via social media that the final was postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances,” leaving fans wondering what was happening behind the scenes. Dartford have since shared Fulham’s full statement, confirming the cause of the disruption.
The identity of the ineligible player and the precise nature of the breach have not been disclosed. In similar cases, eligibility issues typically involve administrative errors such as a failure to properly register a player or fielding someone who was ‘cup-tied’—having already represented another club in the same competition.
For both sets of fans, the collapse of the final comes as a bitter disappointment. Supporters of Fulham FC Women, in particular, had been gearing up for a historic day, with the team’s remarkable cup run having captured imaginations.
The league has yet to announce the next steps: whether Dartford FC Women will be awarded the trophy by default, or if alternative arrangements will be made. Either way, Fulham’s exit from the competition under these circumstances marks a devastating end to their cup ambitions.
Fulham FC Women are now shifting their focus to their final league fixtures, beginning with a home match at Craven Cottage against Sporting London Benfica on Sunday 4 May. The club will be aiming to finish the season on a positive note and to rebuild trust with supporters after what has been a deeply damaging episode.
