Sport
Lionesses issue statement regarding Lauren James’ red card after stamping on Nigeria keeper
The length of her punishment has now been decided.
The Lionesses have issued a statement responding to Lauren James’ red card this past Monday after she stamped on Nigeria player, Michelle Alozie.
James had been one of the England women’s team‘s best players all tournament, registering three goals and three assists in as many games during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but suffered a rare moment of madness when she decided to stamp on her opponent while on the ground.
Sarina Wiegman’s side went on to win the game 4-2 on penalties but very nearly could have been knocked out after being reduced to 10 players, with many comparing the ‘unacceptable’ and ‘foolish’ act to David Beckham’s back in 1998.
While little had come out from the England camp following the incident, the team has now issued a full statement, expressing Lauren‘s regret and assuring that they would accept whatever punishment FIFA ultimately hands down.
“Lauren is really sorry for her actions which led to the red card and is full of remorse. It is wholly out of character for her”, said the England women’s team.
“We will be supporting Lauren throughout and will be putting forward representation on her behalf. We fully respect FIFA‘s disciplinary process and will not be making any further comment until after any decision has been made.”
The England and Chelsea star, 21, was already been banned for the next game against Colombia in the quarter-finals on Saturday, 12 August at 11:30, but it has not been confirmed that she has been issued with a two-match ban, meaning she will miss the quarters and semi-final.
If handed a three-match ban, it would see her miss the rest of the World Cup and the Lionesses will be without one of their best players. As for James herself, she apologised directly to the Nigerian international, who gave an admirable measured and reasonable response considering the circumstances.
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The WSL forward assured that she is “sorry what happened” and promises to “learn from the experience”.
Whether or not England will make it all the way to the final for her make one last appearance in this tournament, especially following the Lionesses’ own condemnation of the behaviour, remains to be seen.
All they can do is put it behind them and know that the country is well and truly behind them. Either way, we believe — it’s coming home.
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Featured Image — Lionesses/Lauren James/BBC Sports (via Twitter)
Sport
Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
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As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
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Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
Sport
Tributes paid to former Manchester City winger Ian Mellor, dead at 74
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the death of former Manchester City star, Ian Mellor, who has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mellor, from Sale in Greater Manchester, played as a left winger for Man City as well as the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford.
With his family and former club confirming the death on Wednesday, 1 May, social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the seasoned ex-pro who sadly died following a long battle with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease which affects organs such as the heart, brains and kidneys.
Replying to his son and ex-Liverpool turned Sky Sports broadcaster, Neil Mellor, the club paid their respects to the former Blue who made 50 appearances for the club.
Mellor began his career just down the road at Wythenshawe Amateurs before going on to represent City from 1970 to 1973.
A boyhood fan of the club, he scored 10 goals whilst wearing Sky Blue and also went on to win the Charity Shield with them back in 1972.
Eventually nicknamed ‘Spider’ for a good chunk of his career due to his long-legged stature, he remained attached to the beautiful game for years after his retirement and went on to become a committee member for the Former Players Association at City.
Joining the likes of all his former clubs, Chester City said: “Everyone at [the club] is saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Mellor. Sending all our love to you and your family, Neil Mellor.
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His son Neil’s goodbye has touched many online too, calling his dad his “hero” and his “everything”.
He also went on to thank locally-based end-of-life care organisation and charity, St Ann’s Hospice, who have facilities all over Greater Manchester and who helped care for Ian in his final days.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family as well as those whose lives he touched through football during this difficult time.
Rest in peace.
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Featured Images — Manchester City/Neil Mellor (via X)
