Women’s Championship: Charlton Women fined £500 after failing to supply oxygen

Charlton Women have been fined £500 for their failure to supply oxygen during their abandoned match with Manchester United earlier this month.

Charlotte Kerr, of Charlton, was seriously injured following a collision after Man United scored the opening goal of the game and had to wait half an hour for an ambulance to arrive.

The fine comes because during that time, Charlton had to use Man United’s supply of oxygen as they did not have any of their own. This is despite league rules stating that clubs must have oxygen on site.

After a delay of an hour, the referee called the game off as there was insufficient oxygen left to cover it safely.

Kerr injured her ribs and sternum and was taken to hospital and released the next day.

The FA said Charlton have been found guilty of breaching competition rule 14.5, which states: “Clubs shall ensure emergency sports first aid equipment is present and in full working order at each competition match.

“Such equipment to include as a minimum a spinal board, cervical collar, fracture splints, crutches, stretchers, oxygen and a defibrillator.”

But the club said in a statement: “Charlton Athletic Women have reviewed all information received from the FA, including medical regulations and from a subsequent inspection visit that covered medical equipment provision in late 2018.

“Our policy is always to comply with the requirements placed upon us and we would never make a conscious decision to fail to hold what is deemed as essential medical equipment.

“We remain in talks with the FA, from whom we are currently awaiting the formal feedback regarding circumstances surrounding the abandoned fixture against Manchester United.

“We will make a decision whether to appeal this once we have had an opportunity to consider the FA’s feedback.”

The FA have said the game will be played at a later date, but it is understood the game would start goalless.