England defender Jess Carter has revealed she has been the target of racial abuse online during the Women’s European Championship. Carter faced criticism for her performance in England’s opening match loss to France, but some of the comments crossed a line by focusing on her race and appearance, which she strongly condemned.
In an emotional Instagram post, the 27-year-old expressed that while she understands fans may have opinions on results and performances, attacking someone’s race is unacceptable. Carter, who has earned 49 caps for England, was a key member of the Euro 2022 winning squad and part of the team that finished second to Spain at last year’s World Cup.
Due to the abuse, Carter announced she will take a break from social media to protect her mental health and keep her focus on supporting her team. The Football Association (FA) has reached out to police in the UK to address the hate crime.
Mark Bullingham, CEO of the FA, emphasized that Jess is their priority and condemned the racist attacks. He confirmed that authorities are working with social media platforms to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice. Bullingham also noted this is sadly not the first time an England player has faced such abuse, and the FA is prepared to respond swiftly.
Carter’s teammates quickly showed their support on social media. The Lionesses also released a joint statement condemning the “online poison” and announced they will no longer perform the anti-racism gesture of taking a knee before matches, feeling that it no longer carries the impact it once did.
England defender Lucy Bronze explained the decision, saying the team feels the message behind taking a knee isn’t hitting home as strongly as needed, given the continued abuse. She stressed the importance of finding new ways to tackle racism both in football and society.
Carter currently plays for Gotham FC in the United States, having transferred from Chelsea a year ago. Gotham FC expressed heartbreak and outrage at the racist abuse Carter has endured. They praised her as a world-class player, leader, and role model, reaffirming their commitment to a culture of respect and inclusion, with zero tolerance for racism.
England is preparing to face Italy in the semifinals in Geneva after a thrilling comeback victory over Sweden in a dramatic penalty shootout. Spain will take on Germany in the other semifinal.
Carter hopes her decision to speak out will make those sending abuse reconsider their actions, helping to prevent others from suffering similar treatment. She remains proud to be part of a squad that has made historic strides and is determined to focus on supporting her team going forward.
The Women’s Euro 2025 has thrilled fans with exciting games and stunning Swiss scenery. However, as the women’s game grows in popularity, so too has the level of online abuse, particularly targeting female players.
Lucy Bronze remarked that while men’s football faces abuse mostly in stadiums, women’s football is increasingly targeted online, with the abuse seeming to worsen. She believes social media platforms can and should do more to address this issue, although finding a solution remains a challenge.
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