Is there a spat splitting the Lionesses? Chelsea star Lauren James ‘unfollows’ Mary Earps and Ella Toone after Man United players made light of her struggles against them on Instagram

Questions have been raised by fans over a potential spat that is brewing between key stars within the England women’s squad, after Lauren James appeared to unfollow Lionesses team-mates Mary Earps and Ella Toone on social media. 

It came after the Chelsea star endured a difficult outing against Manchester United during Sunday’s FA Women’s Cup semi-final and was embroiled in a controversial incident just before half-time. 

After Lucia Garcia and Rachel Williams put United 2-0 up in the first half, James hit back with a goal just on the stroke of half-time. In an attempt to get the ball back to take a quick re-start, the England striker seemed to put Millie Turner in a headlock as the United defender tried to slow down play. 

Turner subsequently made light of the situation, posting a photo of James putting her in a headlock on her Instagram, among several other images, with the caption ‘KAMMOONNNN’. She later re-posted that image onto her story, writing ‘See you at Wembley my reds’ with a heart-eye emoji and a heart emoji. 

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) have now pointed out that James, who received abuse online after she was sent off for a stamp on Nigeria‘s Michelle Alozie at the Women’s World Cup this summer, has subsequently unfollowed Turner, Toone and Earps on social media. 

Turner made light of an image of James putting her in a headlock during the game 

Fans took to social media to question whether a divide is emerging between the Lionesses

It has raised speculation among some fans over whether there is a split emerging between some members of Sarina Wiegman’s England squad. 

One fan took to social media to express their concerns, writing: ‘I wonder if something else has gone down because Earps and Toone aren’t exactly fringe England players. I hope LJ is okay and I’m glad she’s protecting herself.’

Others have also spoken critically of Turner’s Instagram post, with journalist Beth Fisher writing on X (formerly Twitter) that the United defender’s actions were ‘totally classless’ and ‘immature’.

‘I don’t know how many times I’ve seen footballers wrestle with the opposition for the ball but yet again there are vile comments towards Lauren James,’ Fisher said. 

She added: ‘Turner’s subsequent social media stuff is totally immature and classless and has added to the pile on.’ 

X user @LH1999x added: ‘Millie Turner and Nancy Baker have completely lost any respect I had for them. Just coz you won, you don’t get to share a picture you know will add fuel to the fire. You may laugh coz she posted it, but LJ is not laughing about it.

‘She’s unfollowed Millie Turner, Mary Earps and Ella Toone. She’s removed them as followers. Lauren James did NOT obviously find her photo funny.’

Turner was criticised by one fan online for the post, who wrote: ‘Turner’s social media stuff is totally immature and classless’ 

Some fans took to social media to criticise Turner for the post, with one calling it ‘immature’

Despite James’ first-half goal, United went on to secure a berth in the Women’s FA Cup final

During the Women’s World Cup in Australia, James had become the target of abuse online after she was shown a red card during England’s knockout game against Nigeria. 

After the incident, James had restricted comments on her Instagram account, which has approximately 813,000 followers, amid fears over a backlash following the incident. 

There were concerns among England supporters that she could miss the remainder of the World Cup, but was subsequently given a two-match ban with FIFA’s disciplinary committee ruling that James’ actions constituted ‘serious foul play’ rather than violent conduct. 

A similar incident had also occurred during Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat by Arsenal, in December where James appeared to stamp on Lia Walti. She was subsequently shown a yellow card for the incident and was substituted by Emma Hayes shortly after.  

Hayes had revealed that the 22-year-old had ‘not been in a very good place’ following the abuse. 

She said: ‘She’s not in a great place if I’m honest.

‘She’s a young player. She made an error in the summer. Of course she has to keep learning those things.

‘Of course every opponent tries everything possible to get Lauren red-carded. That’s been clear in every game we’ve played and she has to learn to handle that. 

‘When she gets antagonised in a certain way, managing emotions comes with maturity and that isn’t there yet with her. It reminds me very much of David Beckham in many ways when he got red-carded in the World Cup.

Michelle Alozie and Lia Walti have previously spoken out against the abuse James has received

James was shown a red card in the 87th minute of their World Cup clash with Nigeria

Despite that Emma Hayes has risen to the defence of her striker saying she is ‘still learning’

‘I think the treatment of Lauren is sometimes very similar and I think we have to realise for a young person, in a day and age when social media is unbelievably vitriolic, some of the nasty language and labelling and name-calling goes over the edge.’

Alozie and Walti both spoke out on the incidents on social media, adding that the abuse that James had received was not right. 

Alozie wrote on X (formerly Twitter): ‘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.’ 

After Chelsea’s defeat by Arsenal in December, Walti wrote on social media: ‘I initially didn’t want to say anything, but I can’t look away. I absolutely can’t stand any sort of abuse – online abuse and any other sort of discrimination is disgusting. No one gets better by putting others down!!!’