Sports (Commonwealth Union): England defender Jess Carter has received a wave of support from her teammates, officials, and fans after disclosing that she has been subjected to racist abuse during the current UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament. The 27-year-old, who played a crucial role in England’s defence during the tournament in Switzerland, posted a strong message on social media, denouncing the hostility and revealing her decision to take a break from online platforms to safeguard her mental health.
Carter’s experience of racism, largely driven by social media harassment, has brought back the discussion about racism in football, as well as in women’s sports. The Football Association (FA) stated the police had been notified and that the FA is collaborating with the respective social media platform to identify the offenders and hold them accountable. FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham highlighted the seriousness of the situation, stating that they “firmly denounce those accountable for this abhorrent racism.”
Carter, a member of the team that won the Euro 2022 championship and holder of 49 caps since her England debut in 2017, stated that the abuse started at the tournament’s onset and persisted following her quarter-final performance against Sweden. Despite England having staged a dramatic 2-2 comeback and won in a penalty shootout, Carter received hate-filled messages, leading her to address the issue publicly.
In her statement, Carter conveyed that although she acknowledges fans have the right to their opinions about performances and outcomes, she cannot accept individuals being targeted based on their appearance or race. She then announced her decision to step back from social media platforms, allowing a suitable team to handle the issue.
Her Lionesses teammates quickly responded to Carter’s message with support. Defender Lotte Wubben-Moy has also stated that she will be leaving social media in protest. In a joint message shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Lionesses stated, “We stand with Jess and all Lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism. No one should have to endure such vile abuse.”
They also declared that they will stop kneeling before matches, a symbolic act that has become associated with anti-racism in football since 2020. The statement addressed that despite having made the choice to “take the knee” before matches, the squad has come to a collective decision to stand before the kick-off at their game on Tuesday, stating that an alternative approach to deal with racism is required.
That choice is to be implemented in their upcoming Euro 2025 semifinal against Italy, where the squad intends to prioritise unity, awareness, and change.
Notable figures outside the field have also expressed their support for Carter, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticised the abuse, declaring, “There is no place for racism in football or anywhere in society.” At the same time, Carter’s team, Gotham FC in the U.S., conveyed that they were “heartbroken and outraged,” and referred to her as “a role model, a leader, and a valued part of our Gotham FC family.”
The anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out supported Carter’s choice to step away from social media temporarily and insisted that those accountable should face the proper repercussions. The organisation also directed attention towards social media platforms, claiming they must be accountable for facilitating online abuse, stressing that players deserve to feel safe while performing their duties, and that social media has not succeeded in shielding them from the toxicity.
Veteran defender Lucy Bronze added to the increasing demands for change, insisting that social media platforms must be held responsible and that individuals shouldn’t have the freedom to stay at home and write anything they desire without facing repercussions.
The problem of online abuse in women’s football has become more apparent as the sport’s popularity increases. Comparable events took place during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with players such as Lauren James facing racial abuse online.
