Emma Hayes Expresses Worries About Lauren James’ Mental Well-being Following Social Media Abuse

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In Chelsea’s recent 4-1 loss to Arsenal, Lauren James stirred controversy with a late challenge on Arsenal midfielder Walti, which received a yellow card despite warranting a red.

Chelsea faced their most significant defeat in five years, and James was subbed off shortly after the incident.

Following the match, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes acknowledged that Arsenal outplayed them, but she claimed not to have seen the specific incident. However, the online reaction to James’s actions led to a wave of social media abuse.

Expressing concern for James’s well-being, Hayes denounced the level of abuse directed at the young player, emphasizing the unfairness compared to treatment of other players in challenging moments.

She suggested racial profiling might be at play and urged reflection on the derogatory language used.

This isn’t the first time James faced online abuse. A similar incident during the 2023 World Cup, where she received a red card and a two-game suspension, led to intense online hate.

James had to turn off comments and temporarily deactivate her account in response to the backlash.

In a moment of frustration, Lauren James lashed out at Lia Walti, echoing her previous experience with racial abuse while at Manchester United.

Chelsea issued a statement condemning the abuse directed at James, receiving support from the Lionesses and other prominent women’s football accounts.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes expressed concern for James’s well-being, likening the backlash to David Beckham’s infamous red card in the 1998 World Cup.

Hayes highlighted the vitriolic nature of social media and the harmful impact on mental health, especially for young players like James.

Hayes advised players facing abuse to consider deleting their social media for self-preservation. Acknowledging James’s fluctuating performance, Hayes emphasized the ongoing learning process for the young player.

She pointed out the consistent profiling and harsh discourse around James, urging recognition of the challenges she faces, particularly in managing emotions when deliberately targeted by opponents.

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