WSL: Three-match bans 'frustrating' for Man City boss Gareth Taylor
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Manchester City defender Leila Ouahabi was sent off in the 2-0 win over West Ham last weekend
Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor says it is "frustrating" that Women's Super League players are given three-match suspensions for red cards.
City defender Leila Ouahabi and Aston Villa winger Kirsty Hanson were both sent off in their opening WSL fixtures.
Their clubs unsuccessfully appealed against the decisions and Taylor wants more "understanding" about the impact their bans have on a 22-game season.
"It is frustrating, but the rules are the rules," said Taylor.
"I think there just needs to be a little more - I won't use the word allowance - but just more understanding. If it's something really malicious or something where a player has cut down and really used 'violent conduct'… There was nothing about either of those red card challenges that were violent.
"I'll speak on our case but I did see Kirsty Hanson's one as well. It's a high challenge, but it's one where when she realised she was doing it, she withdraws her foot. I just don't see either of those [Ouahabi and Hanson's red cards] as violent conduct.
"We're really disappointed in the outcome, especially for Leila because she was excellent in that game last week up until that point. Now you lose a player for three games."
Hanson was sent off in the 74th minute of Villa's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United for a high challenge on midfielder Hayley Ladd, while Ouahabi was given a straight red card in the 71st minute of City's win at West Ham after kicking out at Emma Harries.
The WSL rules - which state players given straight red cards serve three-match suspensions - mirror those in the Premier League, where teams contest a 38-game season.
Taylor confirmed City's argument in their appeal was that Ouahabi's challenge was not an example of violent conduct.
"We didn't [feel that it was violent conduct]. We try to be as impartial as we possibly can. I mentioned Kirsty's one as well because I just didn't think that was a red card either," added Taylor.
"I think any other coach would be the same if you got them to take off their club hat - maybe apart from [West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner] last week because it changes things.
"We made our case and [the Football Association] have obviously stuck to it. We have to respect that - but we just feel it's really tough. It's a frustrating one."