England star Lauren James has broken her silence after she was sent off during the World Cup clash against Nigeria.
On Monday, the Lionesses were up against Nigeria in their round of 16 tie of the 2023 Women's World Cup.
In front of a packed crowd at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, England struggled to create any meaningful chances as Nigeria looked far more potent than Sarina Wiegman's side.
With 85 minutes on the clock and the match at 0-0, James was booked after tangling with Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie.
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However, replays showed that James in fact stamped on the back of her opponent and as a result, VAR upgraded the yellow card to a red card.
England had to play the rest of the match with 10 players but managed to sneak through after winning the penalty shootout 4-2.
On Tuesday, Alozie said on Twitter: “Abeg, rest. We are playing on the world’s stage.
“This game is one of passion, insurmountable emotions, and moments. All respect for Lauren James.”
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James has since responded, she wrote: “All my love and respect to you. I am sorry for what happened.
“Also, for our England fans and my team-mates, playing with and for you is my greatest honour and I promise to learn from my experience.”
Speaking about the incident, Wiegman said after the match: “It was the moment of a split second. It was late in the game, players get a little tired. She is a little inexperienced on this stage.
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“Sometimes that happens with human beings. It is an intense game. In a split second she lost her emotions. Of course she apologised. Things happen, you can’t change it. It’s a huge lesson for her to learn but isn’t something she did on purpose.”
She added: “Of course she doesn’t want to hurt anyone she is the sweetest person I know.”
England will face Colombia in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup.
Topics: England, Womens World Cup, Womens Football
Marcus Chan