Former Manchester United player, Gary Lineker has lashed out at England’s forward, Lauren James’s wild stamp on Super Falcons Michelle Alozie in the round 16 clash of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier today at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
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With the sides level at 0-0, England Women star, James stamped on the back of Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie in the 86th minute of the round of 16 clash after a collision between both players.
Although she was initially yellow-carded, it was overturned for a red when referee Melissa Borjas consulted the VAR.
Gary Lineker, who is now a pundit has compared Chelsea’s star challenge against Nigeria in the Women’s World Cup to David Beckham’s infamous red card against Argentina in 1998 in Saint-Etienne Beckham as he was also sent off for kicking out Diego Simeone in the last-16.
That incident led to Beckham receiving a significant amount of criticism and abuse from England supporters.
Lineker wrote on Twitter: “The @Lionesses down to 10 as Lauren James has a Beckhamesque moment of madness.”
Vicki Sparks, BBC commentator for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup also made the comparison to the Beckham incident and described James’ actions as ‘completely unnecessary’.
“Shades of David Beckham against Argentina from Lauren James. What is she doing? Why do that? completely unnecessary from Lauren James.”
Despite being down to 10 men, England managed to win 4-2 on penalties to reach the quarter-finals after the game ended goalless.
