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Lauren James, a high participant for England within the Girls’s World Cup, was given a two-game suspension by FIFA, soccer’s governing physique, for stepping on the again of an opposing participant in her group’s round-of-16 win in opposition to Nigeria on Monday in Brisbane, Australia. If she does return on this match, will probably be within the remaining.
James acquired a crimson card close to the top of regulation time as a result of she stamped on the again of Michelle Alozie as Alozie was getting up from a foul. England went on to win on penalties after 120 minutes with no targets.
The crimson card meant that James was routinely suspended for England’s quarterfinal recreation on Saturday in opposition to Colombia. However FIFA’s disciplinary committee, it was introduced Thursday, added an extra recreation as a result of her violation was for violent conduct.
“The suspension shall be served for the FIFA Girls’s World Cup quarterfinal and the subsequent worldwide fixture following that,” FIFA mentioned in a press release.
Why It Issues: James has been one in every of England’s high gamers.
James, with three targets on this match, had been England’s most enjoyable participant. She had accounted for 5 targets in a win over China within the group stage, with three assists, two targets and a possible third referred to as again as a result of one in every of her teammates was offside.
England is likely one of the high groups remaining, particularly after the eliminations of the US and Germany, and James’s presence helped the Lionesses overcome accidents to different key gamers.
Background: The violation got here close to the top of a bodily recreation.
England’s recreation in opposition to Nigeria was a troublesome, back-and-forth contest by which Nigeria was taking part in aggressively and England appeared to be holding on. Nigeria, having seen James’s success within the match, saved a defender on her as a lot as potential. Consequently, James touched the ball much less typically than she wished to.
Alozie acknowledged the sport’s depth in a submit on X, the social media platform previously referred to as Twitter. “This recreation is one in every of ardour, insurmountable feelings, and moments,” she wrote. “All respect for Lauren James.”
James responded with an apology: “I’m sorry for what occurred.”
What’s Subsequent: England faces Colombia in a quarterfinal on Saturday.
James can return for the World Cup remaining if England can win two video games with out her. Its subsequent recreation is a quarterfinal in opposition to Colombia, which has one other massive star in 18-year-old Linda Caicedo. The winner of that recreation is scheduled to play a semifinal on Wednesday in opposition to the winner of the quarterfinal between France and Australia.
The ultimate of the match is Aug. 20.