FIFA suspended England’s Lauren James for two games after she picked up a red card in the team’s round of 16 victory against Nigeria at the Women’s World Cup. James’ red card automatically ruled her out of Saturday’s quarterfinal against Colombia, but the decision also makes her unavailable for a semifinal matchup against either Australia or France if England advance. A multiple-match ban was expected after James stepped on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie to earn the red card.
The forward apologized for the incident the day after the match through a statement issued by the England FA, saying she is “full of remorse” and that the action was “wholly out of character.” James’ teammates have supported her since the red card but are also determined to not let that moment derail their World Cup campaign.
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