Lauren James breaks silence after England red card & apologises for lashing out

Lauren James has apologised to Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie after receiving a red card for stamping on the defender in England’s last-16 victory at the Women’s World Cup and has promised to learn from her mistake.

The Chelsea attacker was given her marching orders in the 87th minute of Monday’s match after a coming together with her opponent; both players fell to the floor but as James got up she stamped her foot down into Alozie’s back.

She initially received a yellow card but referee Melissa Borjas was sent to the pitch-side monitor by VAR and was forced to upgrade her decision to a red card.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, a resolute England rearguard managed to cling on through extra-time and forced penalties, with Chloe Kelly striking an emphatic final spot-kick to secure a 4-2 win in the shootout.

The Lionesses will now take on Colombia in Saturday’s quarter-final, though James will be suspended for that match and potentially the rest of the tournament with violent conduct carrying a three-match ban.

Alozie reached out to James on social media on Tuesday morning and showed there were no hard feelings between the players, tweeting: ‘This game is one of passion, insurmountable emotions, and moments. All respect for Lauren James.’

James clearly appreciated the sentiment, with the 21-year-old later replying: ‘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.’

James has been England’s best player Down Under and racked up three goals and three assists in the group stages despite not starting the first match against Haiti.

England boss Sarina Wiegman defended James afterwards and felt her reaction was the mark of an inexperienced player who had cut a frustrated figure in the contest, with the Lionesses struggling to carve out chances against Nigeria.

‘It was a moment of a split-second and it was later in the game so players also get a little tired. She is an inexperienced player on this stage and has done really well,’ said the England head coach.

‘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.

‘Yet then things happen like that and you cannot change it any more. So it is a huge lesson for her to learn, but it is not something that she really did on purpose.

‘It happens sometimes with human beings – that you are in such an intense game, such an emotional game and, in a split-second, she lost her emotions. She apologised and she felt really, really bad and absolutely she does not want to hurt anyone.’

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