England will have to make do without Chelsea winger Lauren James for their next two matches at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after the 21-year-old saw her ban for stamping on Michelle Alozie’s back extended to two matches. England will play their first game without her on Saturday, when they take on Colombia in the quarter-final stages hoping to get far enough in to see James play again.
England forward Lauren James has been banned for two games after her red card for stamping against Nigeria, after FIFA added an extra game to her suspension.
The 21-year-old has been one of the players of the tournament so far but allowed her frustrations to get the better of her as she trod on Michelle Alozie’s back while her opponent lay on the floor in the 87th minute.
England would go on to win on penalties to reach the quarter-finals, but they had to do so without James for the rest of the match after a VAR review saw her sent off after an initial yellow card from the referee.
FIFA have now extended what was a one-match ban to two due to the violent nature of the offence.
That means that England will only be able to use James in either the final or the third-place playoff, assuming they reach either of those matches.
James’ two goals and three assists in the 6-1 defeat of China marked her out as the standout player for the side so far, with Chelsea manager Emma Hayes saying: “We are witnessing brilliance.”
After the match, manager Sarina Weigman said: ‘I’ve spoken to her. I actually said [to her], “look, that happens sometimes with human beings,” that they are in such an intense game and such a high-intensity, emotional game, and in a split second she lost her emotions.
“Of course she apologised and she felt really, really bad. Absolutely she doesn’t want to hurt anyone.
“This was a moment, it was a split second, it was later in the game, so players also get a little tired, she’s an inexperienced player on this stage and she’s done really well.
“I think in a split second she just lost her emotions. Of course she doesn’t want to hurt anyone, she’s the sweetest person I know.
“Things happen like that, you can’t change it any more, it’s a huge lesson to learn but of course it’s not something she’s done on purpose.”
And the victim of the stamp, Alozie, wrote on Twitter: “Abeg, rest. We are playing on the world’s stage.
“This game is one of passion, insurmountable emotions, and moments. All respect for Lauren James.”
James apologised on social media, saying: “All my love and respect to you. I am sorry for what happened.
“Also, for our England fans and my team-mates, playing with and for you is my greatest honour and I promise to learn from my experience.”
England play Colombia on Saturday in their quarter-final match-up.
