James faces nervy wait to discover if her World Cup dream is OVER

Lauren James faces a nervy wait to discover if her World Cup dream with England is OVER with FIFA yet to make a decision on the length of her ban

  • Lauren James was shown a red card for a stamp in the victory against Nigeria 
  • She could be made to wait until after the quarter-final to discover her fate 
  • FIFA’s decision may also depend on whether the FA decide to lodge an appeal 

Lauren James faces an anxious wait over whether her World Cup dream is over with FIFA yet to make a decision on the length of the forward’s suspension following her red card against Nigeria.

James was sent off in the 87th minute of England’s last 16 tie for a stamp on Michelle Alozie. Players shown red cards at the tournament are automatically banned for one-game but more matches can be imposed on review.

But James could be forced to wait until after England’s quarter-final with Colombia or Jamaica. Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun is the only other player to have been shown a red card for violent conduct at the tournament.

Abiodun was sent off in Nigeria’s first game but was not informed her suspension would be upgraded to three matches until after she sat out the second round fixture against Australia.

FIFA’s decision may also depend on whether the Football Association decides to appeal James’ red card.

Lauren James faces a nervy wait to discover if her World Cup dream with England is over

James, sent off for a stamp against Nigeria, may not be punished until after the quarter-final

Players shown red cards are given one-match bans but a harsher sanction can later be applied

The governing body has not indicated whether they will do so but an appeal is unlikely.

James’ red card did not end up costing England, with the Lionesses progressing on penalties. England manager Sarina Wiegman said they would ‘not take any assumptions’ over whether James would be given an extended ban. 

Wiegman defended the forward but admitted she has a ‘huge lesson’ to learn.

‘I’ve spoken to her,’ Wiegman said after the game.

‘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.’

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