Star Lauren James has been given a two-match ban for England, a suspension that will run through to the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals and the next international match. That is, if the English team advances to the semifinals, it will not be able to count on the attacker on the field. However, this absence could be costly for the British.
Trivela analyzes England’s embezzlement, with the help of reporter Maria Tereza Santos, from Premier League Brazil, and the importance of punishment for James during the World Cup.
Lauren James punishment was a necessary message from FIFA
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to punish the English player after Michelle Alozie, from Nigeria, stepped on her back while her opponent was lying on the ground. At first, the referee of the match had punished James with a yellow card, but after the VAR review, she decided to expel her from the field.
The attacker’s act, considered unsportsmanlike by the refereeing body, won the highest instances of football’s highest body. Thus, she was framed in violation of Article 14 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code.
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As much as this type of conduct is even common in sports, since athletes are human beings and are subject to losing control, the message passed through punishment was necessary. This is because the women’s modality has created a fair play environment around it that is different from that of the men’s, much more refined.
– It was a very childish and immature move, something from an athlete who has no experience in the World Cup. This is the first time she competes in the tournament – pondered Maria Tereza, from the PLB.
In this sense, the suspension does not just act as a punishment for Lauren, but also as a warning that the women’s football environment does not tolerate unsportsmanlike attitudes.
Lauren James apology
Last Tuesday (8), the Chelsea striker published an apology to Alozie, who had spoken out about the episode on social networks. The exchange of messages was friendly and proves the evolution of fair play within the modality.
– Please rest. We are playing on the world stage. This game is about passion, insurmountable emotions and moments. All respect to Lauren James,” Michelle wrote.
– All my love and respect to you. I’m sorry for what happened. Also, to the England fans and my teammates, playing with and for you is my greatest honor and I promise to learn from my experience,” Lauren replied.
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.
— Lauren James (@laurenjamess22) August 8, 2023
England v Colombia: how will Lauren James’ absence impact?
If, on the one hand, the punishment is good news for the Women’s Cup ecosystem, England can only regret the absence of its main finisher. By combining speed and opportunism, Lauren plays an important role within the tactical scheme of the Lionesses, both with goals and assists.
In all, the number 7 has already scored three times and provided three assists, which represents a 75% participation in the eight goals scored by England in this competition.
Of the formations most used by Sarina Wiegman, both the 4-3-3 and the 4-2-3-1 had Keira Walsh, midfielder, as the “heart” of the national team and James, reference in the attack, as a surprise factor.
Things began to unravel when Keira suffered knee pain in the group stage against Denmark and left the field on a stretcher. She returned after the game against China, to play in the Round of 16. Already against Nigeria, which has a very strong defensive system, the fit of the scheme with Walsh and James left something to be desired.
– Sarina has already made moves in the tactical formation since the Cup started, precisely because it was not working. From the game against China, she changed the formation to a 3-5-2, putting Lauren James in the position of a number 10, even though she is not. It worked well against China, but it didn’t work so well against Nigeria, and England only got through on penalties because they were better prepared (emotionally) – said the Premier League Brazil reporter.
Now, the coach will have to adapt her lineup again. For the confrontation against the creative and talented Colombia, in the quarterfinals, next Saturday (12), at 7:30 am (Brasília time), a new embezzlement will haunt the Dutch commander.
– The question mark remains about what Sarina will do in these next games without Lauren. If she wants to keep that line-up made against Nigeria, her natural replacement would be Ella Toone, but the player lacks pace and hasn’t done well in the games she entered. She (Sarina) also has the option to switch back to one of her favorite formations, 4-3-3. Lauren’s replacement, in this case, would be Chloe Kelly, who has a lot of decision-making power – added Maria Tereza.
2023-08-10 18:22:00
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