Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Womens Football, Womens World Cup
Joe Adams
Lauren James was shown a straight red card after she appeared to stamp on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie during England's round of 16 match at the World Cup, but what will be her punishment?
The 21-year-old has been one of her country's most impressive players at the tournament this summer.
She could have had a hat-trick during England's 6-1 demolition of China last week, only to be denied by the narrowest of offside calls. She still picked up two goals and provided a further two assists to help book the Lioness's place in the last 16.
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But on Monday, the Chelsea forward went from hero to zero at the Brisbane Stadium, when she appeared to deliberately stand on Michelle Alozie’s after they both went down.
The referee, Melissa Borjas was ordered over to the monitor to take a look at the incident before exchanging her initial yellow card for a straight red, sending James down the tunnel.
Fortunately for England, they were able to get the job done without their star player, beating Nigeria in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the quarter-finals.
But how many games will James be banned for? Here is all you need to know.
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How long will James be banned for?
According to FIFA's official guidelines, James will be handed a one-match ban but she could be suspended for further games depending on how the FIFA Disciplinary view it.
An official statement from FIFA reads: "If players or team officials are sent off as a result of a direco or indirect red card, they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match.
"In addition, further sanctions may be imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee."