The England women’s football team is rallying behind defender Jess Carter following a surge of racist abuse directed at her during Euro 2025. As the Lionesses continue their campaign in Switzerland, the issue of online racism has again come to the fore, prompting urgent calls for tougher action and support from the highest levels in football and government.
A Dark Shadow Over European Championship Success
Jess Carter, 27, has played a vital role in England’s journey to the Euro 2025 semi-finals. Despite her performances on the pitch, she has faced an onslaught of racist abuse on social media, particularly after England’s close-fought matches against France and Sweden. Carter made a public statement on Sunday, expressing her distress and highlighting the toll the attacks have taken on her well-being and focus. In response, she has chosen to step back from all social platforms for the remainder of the tournament, leaving her accounts in the care of her management team.
Carter’s statement read: “From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse. Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result, I don’t agree or think it’s OK to target someone’s appearance or race. As a result of this I will be taking a step back from social media and leaving it to a team to deal with.”
The Football Community Responds
The Football Association (FA), along with Carter’s teammates and coaching staff, swiftly condemned the hateful messages. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said, “Our priority is Jess and giving her all the support she needs. We strongly condemn those responsible for this disgusting racism.” The FA immediately contacted UK police and the relevant social media platforms to ensure those responsible face justice.
England’s Lionesses released a unified statement, calling out the “online poison” and acknowledging the need for a new approach: “It is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism. No one should suffer such abhorrent abuse, whether in football or any aspect of life. Those responsible for this online toxicity must be held accountable.”
England team members, including Lucy Bronze, spoke out about their sadness and anger, highlighting how disappointing it is to see a teammate suffer in this way. Bronze described Jess Carter as “so strong and so tenacious,” but acknowledged the deep impact such abuse can have. “It is just disappointing we must sit here in this day and age and see Jess go through that herself,” she said.
Solidarity from Across the Game and Beyond
Support has poured in far beyond the England camp. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described racism as having “no place in football or society,” backing Carter and the Lionesses. Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman also voiced her support, saying, “I stand with Jess and all Lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism.”
Anti-racism campaigners, such as Kick It Out, praised Carter’s courage in bringing the abuse to light and called for harsher punishment for those responsible. The organisation stated, “Players should feel safe while doing their jobs. They should not be exposed to this sickening behaviour, and those responsible should face the strongest possible consequences.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA have both offered solidarity, with Infantino stating, “No player should face discrimination in any form. They ought to be able to perform at their highest level on the pitch.” UEFA reiterated that abuse and discrimination “must never be accepted, whether in football, society, in person, or online.”
A Persistent Problem in the Modern Game
Sadly, Carter’s experience is not unique. Teammate Lauren James was targeted following Chelsea’s defeat in 2023, while England men’s stars Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho suffered similar racist abuse after the men’s Euro 2020 final. Each incident highlights the persistent racism that continues to tarnish the sport, despite widespread condemnation and the introduction of anti-racism campaigns.
The Lionesses, who until now had taken the knee in support of racial equality, have decided to end this gesture for the remainder of Euro 2025. They hope this move will prompt football’s governing bodies and tech companies to devise more effective, lasting solutions to combat hate online. The team emphasised, “We have achieved significant changes with this Lionesses squad, and I am proud to be part of it. My hope is that by addressing this issue, we can inspire further positive change for everyone.”
Online Platforms and Accountability
The crisis once again places pressure on social media companies to do more in removing or preventing abuse. The FA and police are closely collaborating with platforms to track down perpetrators and to improve safeguarding measures for players and public figures. Campaigners consistently call for platforms to implement stronger filters, faster reporting, and meaningful action rather than simply removing posts after the fact.
Experts within the football community, such as Lucy Bronze and Leah Williamson, have noted the increase in abusive messages as women’s football continues to grow in popularity. They stress that supportive fan engagement is welcomed but insist that there should be zero tolerance for hate, especially when it targets race or personal identity.
Prioritising Player Welfare and Moving Forward
The England squad and support team are focusing on player welfare, ensuring Carter and others have access to professional guidance and support networks. The FA’s established protocols, activated when such abuse is detected, are designed both to address immediate concerns and to contribute evidence in support of police investigations.
On the field, England continue their Euro 2025 run, with Carter expected to remain a key part of the squad as they face Italy in the semi-final. The Lionesses, as ever, are determined not to allow abuse to overshadow their performances or their unity.
