England's star forward, Lauren James, has been handed a two-game suspension by FIFA following her red card in Monday's Women's World Cup match. The 21-year-old forward will be absent for England's upcoming quarterfinal against Colombia on Saturday, and if the team advances, she will also miss the semifinal against either Australia or France. However, James will still be available to play in either the final or the third-place playoff, depending on England's performance in the next two matches.

The incident that led to James' suspension occurred in the 87th minute of England's Round of 16 victory against Nigeria. In a collision with Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie, James inadvertently stepped on her back as she lay on the ground. Initially, referee Melissa Borjas issued a yellow card to James, but after a VAR review, the decision was upgraded to a straight red card.

Following the match, Michelle Alozie displayed admirable sportsmanship and expressed her support for James on social media. She wrote, "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." In response, James saw the message and acknowledged her mistake, apologizing to Alozie and expressing her love and respect.

Before her red card, Lauren James had been a standout performer for England in the Women's World Cup. She scored the game-winning goal against Denmark in the group stage and made an impressive impact with two goals and three assists against China. Her absence in the upcoming matches will undoubtedly be a blow for England, as she has been a key contributor to their success thus far.

The English Football Association has released a statement offering their support to James, stating that she is "really sorry" and "full of remorse." They will provide representation on her behalf during FIFA's disciplinary process. Despite the suspension, the two-match ban imposed on James is relatively lenient considering the seriousness of the foul play and could have been extended to three matches, which would have prematurely ended her tournament run.

England's quarterfinal match against Colombia will undoubtedly present a significant challenge without the talented forward. Nevertheless, the team remains determined to continue their successful campaign and secure a spot in the semifinals. The absence of Lauren James will require other players to step up and fill the void left by her suspension, but England's strong performance thus far should provide them with confidence as they aim to progress further in the tournament.