England’s Lauren James apologises over World Cup brain snap

The pair at the centre of the Women’s World Cup stomping controversy have both broken their silence on the unsavoury incident.

Lauren James stamps on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie.

England’s Lauren James has apologised to Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie after the Englishwoman stomped on her rival in their round of 16 clash on Monday night.

While England came out with a 4-2 win on penalties after a scoreless match, the bizarre moment that saw James stamp on her opponent’s butt, which earned her a red card, was a big talking point of the day.

But it appears the loss hurt more than the incident with Alozie making a lighthearted joke from the incident on social media.

life. pic.twitter.com/3572ug62Ba

— michelle alozie (@alozieee) August 8, 2023

Alozie also tweeted she had “all respect for Lauren James” although admitted it was the right call to sit the 21-year-old down.

still a red though 🥴 https://t.co/iB0Ar2c08I

— michelle alozie (@alozieee) August 8, 2023

James responded on Tuesday night, quote tweeting Alozie’s post and replying: “All my love and respect to you. I am sorry for what happened.

“Also, for our England fans and my teammates, playing with and for you is my greatest honour and I promise to learn from my experience.”

Lauren James stamps on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie.

Goal.com reported post-match that Alozie said she was all right after the incident.

“I was a little bit surprised by her reaction to the tackle. I don’t think it was really needed,” Alozie was reported as saying.

“I’m fine, my butt is fine from her stepping on it. I was kind of confused initially. I didn’t understand what was going on at first. There’s no hard feelings, it’s just a game.”

FIFA is still investigating the incident and there were reports that it may rub James out of the remainder of the tournament.

England coach Sarina Wiegman said James had apologised to Alozie for the incident.

“I’ve spoken to her. I actually said (to her), ‘look, that happens sometimes with human beings,’ that they are in such an intense game and such a high-intensity, emotional game, and in a split second she lost her emotions,” Wiegman said.

“Of course she apologised and she felt really, really bad. Absolutely she doesn’t want to hurt anyone.

“This was a moment, it was a split second and it was later in the game, so players also get a little tired, she’s an inexperienced player on this stage and she’s done really well.

“I think in a split second she just lost her emotions. Of course she doesn’t want to hurt anyone, she’s the sweetest person I know.

“Things happen like that, you can’t change it any more, it’s a huge lesson to learn but of course it’s not something she’s done on purpose.”

While James will miss England’s quarterfinal against Jamaica or Colombia with an automatic one-match ban for her red card, it’s in FIFA’s hands if her tournament is over.