Lauren James receives two-match ban for violent conduct on Michelle Alozie

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

England forward, Lauren James has been handed a two-match suspension after stamp on Nigeria defender, Michelle Alozie by FIFA.

Clearly fustrated James stepped on Alozie’s back in the second half of the Round of 16 game of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup between Nigeria and England which the latter won 4-2 on penalties on Monday.

The Chelsea star was initially issued with yellow which was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and upturned into a red card.

The world football ruling body has reviewed the stamp and added a game suspension to the one-game suspension she ought to serve from the red card.

The verdict means James will miss the Lionesses quarter-final game with Colombia as well as a potential semi-final game only to return if her team makes it to the final or third place.

The dismissal of James was reminiscent of David Beckham and Wayne Rooney’s red cards at the 1998 and 2006 World Cups respectively in what was seen as a moment of madness.

England coach, Sarina Wiegman believed despite the criticisms, James never intended for the incident to happen.

“It was a moment of split-second and it was later in the game so players also get a little tired,” Wiegman stated after the game on Monday.

” She is an inexperienced player on this stage and has done really well. And I think in a split second she just lost her emotions. And, of course, she does not want to hurt anyone. She is the sweetest person I know.”

James apologised to Alozie and the English football fans afterward.