England forward Lauren James received a two-match ban from FIFA on Thursday for the stamp on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie that earned her a red card in the Women’s World Cup last 16.
The 21-year-old Chelsea attacker was sent off in the 87th minute of Monday’s match in Brisbane, which European champions England went on to win on penalties.
She will miss England’s quarter-final against Colombia in Sydney on Saturday as well as a potential semi-final, but would be available to return should the Lionesses reach the final on August 20.
James apologised on Tuesday to Alozie over the incident, tweeting: “All my love and respect to you.
“I am sorry for what happened”.
Separately, the England team released a statement of their own saying: “Lauren is really sorry for her actions which led to the red card and is full of remorse.
“It is wholly out of character for her”.
![Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps. campaigning for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during their APC rally in Enugu. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official X handle of Mr Kalu]](https://crediblenewsng.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Hon.-Banjamin-Kalu-Deputy-Speaker-of-the-House-of-Reps.-campaigning-for-the-re-epection-of-President-Bola-Ahmed-Tinubu-120x86.jpeg)
