England’s Lauren James has suspension extended: would she be able to play in the Women’s World Cup final?

After the USWNT were knocked out of the Women’s World Cup 2023 in the round of 16 by Sweden, England were installed as new favourites to win the tournament by most. Despite going one better than the Stars and Stripes by progressing to the quarter-finals, The Lionesses haven’t consistently hit the heights of their performances in the European Championships in 2022, and weren’t helped in their first knockout round match against Nigeria by star forward Lauren James being petulantly sent off late in the second half.

The Chelsea attacker was arguably England’s stand-out performer in the group stage, scoring the only goal in the narrow win over Denmark before twice finding the net in the thrashing of China, which ensured they won their section.

Why was James sent off against Nigeria?

James was again tipped to be a difference maker against the Super Falcons but with her team struggling to break down the African side as full-time approached, she lost possession to opposition right-back Michelle Alozie and needlessly trampled on her back after the ball had gone.

Unfortunately for the 21-year-old and her nation, VAR picked up on it and that, rightly, was game over for her. With one player fewer, Sarina Wiegman’s team managed to get to the end of 90 and then 120 minutes unscathed before triumphing 4-2 in a penalty shootout.

Why has James’ suspension been extended?

Red cards in the competition “normally” incur a one-match suspension, in which case James would have been force to sit out the quarter-final tie against Colombia before being available for a potential semi-final. However, the nature of the offence, which has been deemed “violent conduct”, means FIFA have given her an additional ban to serve, which now totals two games.

James will therefore miss the Colombia clash and England’s last-four match if they get there, although she would be available to play in the Women’s World Cup final, should her nation qualify.

England forward “full of remorse” for “out of character” actions

Following the incident, England released a statement saying James was “full of remorse” and that he actions were “wholly out of character for her”, while Wiegman defended her player, saying “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.”