By Victor Kanayo
FIFA has handed two-match ban on England forward Lauren James for her red card in the Women’s World Cup game with Nigeria.
James, 21, was sent off for stamping on the back of Super Falcon’s player Michelle Alozie in the last 16 match, which England won on penalties.
The dismissal came with an automatic one game ban which FIFA has increased, meaning she will miss the semi-final if England get there.
The Lionesses face Colombia in the quarter-final on Saturday.
James is England’s top scorer in the tournament, having scored three goals, as well as assisting three more, in the group stages.
The Chelsea forward had apologised to Alozie on social media after the incident and promised to learn from her mistake.
After the game, England boss Sarina Wiegman said: “She is inexperienced on this stage and in a split-second lost her emotions. It isn’t something she did on purpose. She apologised and felt really bad.
“She would never want to hurt someone. She is the sweetest person I know.”
If the Lionesses are knocked out of the World Cup on Saturday, James’ ban will carry over to England’s next international fixture.
The world football governing body had handed three-match ban on Nigerian player Deborah Abiodun after she incurred red card during Super Falcon’s group match against Canada.
