10 August 2023 , 16:14
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If England are seeking any additional motivation to make it to this year's Women's World Cup Final, they need look no further than FIFA's ruling on Lauren James ' looming suspension.
The Chelsea forward has been one of the breakout stars of this summer's tournament, with her explosive attacking exploits having been central to the Lionesses' progression to the last eight. However, her scintillating displays for Sarina Wiegman's side looked in serious danger of being irrevocably marred by her uncharacteristic moment of petulance in England's round-of-16 clash with Nigeria.
Unlike against China - where her genius inspired England to a 6-1 victory - James found herself stifled by a stubborn Nigeria defence at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. And it took 87 minutes for her frustration to boil over, with the 21-year-old handed her marching orders for a stamp on the prone Michelle Alozie.
Despite being at a numerical disadvantage following James' dismissal, Wiegman's lacklustre England side rallied to force extra time and then penalties, with Euros hero Chloe Kelly coolly dispatching the winning spot-kick to set up a quarter-final clash with Colombia. While the Lionesses had managed to keep their World Cup dream alive, it looked like James had brought her own involvement in the tournament to a premature end, with it seeming like only a matter of time before her automatic one-game ban was upgraded a three-match suspension.
But, in the early hours of Friday morning in Australia, FIFA's disciplinary committee returned their long-awaited verdict. James would see her ban upgraded, but to two games, not three, meaning she would be eligible to return to the pitch should England reach the World Cup Final.
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"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed a two-match suspension on England’s player Lauren James following a violation of article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code at the FIFA Women’s World Cup match England vs Nigeria," the official FIFA statement read.
"The suspension will be served for the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final and the next international fixture following that."
It is a welcome but unexpected reprieve for one of the women's game's most mercurial young talents. James has already expressed her remorse for her moment of madness against Nigeria - taking to social media to apologise to Alozie and vowing to learn from the experience.
Lauren James was sent off against Nigeria (FIFA via Getty Images)If England do advance to the tournament's showpiece fixture, James may well get the opportunity to showcase that learning much sooner than she anticipated. The Chelsea forward is not the first England star to see red at a major tournament, with her infraction against Nigeria inevitably drawing comparisons with David Beckham's infamous scuffle with Diego Simeone at France '98 and Rooney's dismissal at the 2006 Word Cup.
But while Beckham and Rooney saw their respective red cards coincide with their country's untimely World Cup exit, the Lionesses' resilience in the face of adversity ensured Wiegman's side live to fight another day. And, unlike the former Manchester United prodigies, James may yet get the chance to make amends for her misdemeanour as the Lionesses bid to bring football home once more.
There will be those who question FIFA's apparent leniency when it comes to James' suspension. The governing body's decision stems from the fact James’ actions were deemed as ‘serious foul play’, rather than violent conduct, thus resulting in a two-game ban.
Still, Nigeria's Deborah Abiodun - the only other player to have received a straight red at this year's World Cup - would be justified in feeling hard done by, having been forced to serve a three-match supension for a clumsy challenge on Canada's Ashley Lawrence.
But FIFA have spoken, and their decision will surely have been well received at England's World Cup base in Terrigal, where preparations for Saturday's quarter-final clash are ongoing. Of course, a place in the Final is not a foregone conclusion for Wiegman's side.
The group stage rout of China aside, the Lionesses have so far failed to impress at this summer's tournament and have rode their luck at times on their way to the last eight. Even if England do book their place in the winner-takes-all showdown in Sydney on August 20, there are no guarantees Wiegman will restore James to the starting line up.
"It's a huge lesson for her to learn," the England boss said on Monday, reflecting on James' dismissal.
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Nigeria's Deborah Abiodun served a full three-game ban after her red card"She would never want to hurt someone. She is the sweetest person I know. It was late in the game so players get a little tired. 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."
That inexperience Wiegman alluded to could hamper James' chances of being involved again this summer. However, the door is open for the 21-year-old to prove she has learnt from her error and is ready to make herself the hero, should her manager need her.
Crucially, FIFA's decision has thrown James a lifeline. Now England's job is to make sure she at least gets the chance to take it.