'This online poison must be held accountable': Lionesses condemn racist abuse of Jess Carter at Euro 2025
The England defender spoke out about the abuse she has been suffering online while in Switzerland
An ugly cloud hung over Euro 2025 on Sunday as England defender Jess Carter spoke out about the racist abuse she has been subjected to online since the start of the tournament.
Carter released a statement on Sunday saying that she had received “a lot of racial abuse” and would be leaving all social media, and handing over her accounts to a team.
The Gotham FC defender also said that she hoped speaking out about racial abuse would encourage positive change, and make the culprits “think twice” about doing it again.
Carter also mentioned the “historic changes” the Lionesses have already achieved and hope tackling online racial abuse is something she believes England can have an impact on.
Here is Carter’s statement in full:
“A message to the fans...
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. As ever I am grateful for all of the support from the genuine fans but I am taking this measure to protect myself in a bid to keep my focus on
helping the team anyway I can. Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that others won't have to deal with it. We have made some historic changes with this Lionesses squad that I am so proud to be a part of and my hope is that by speaking out about this it will make another positive change for all. I'm now looking forward and focusing on putting all of my energy into helping my team”.
In the moments after Carter’s statement, the Lionesses sent a message supporting Carter, which also condemned the racial abuse and called for accountability.
“We know the FA are working with the UK police and the appropriate bodies. Those behind this online poison must be held accountable,” the Lionesses said in their statement.
England also announced they would no longer be taking a knee before matches at Euro 2025, as the team feels they need to find “another way” to tackle racial discrimination.
Here is England’s statement in full:
“We stand with Jess and all Lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism. No one should have to endure such vile abuse, be that in football or any walk of life. Representing our country is the greatest honour.
“It is not right that while we are doing that, some of us are treated differently simply because of the colour of our skin.
“Until now, we have chosen to take the knee before matches. It is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism. We have agreed as a squad to remain standing before kick-off on Tuesday.
“We hope the game can come together to see what more can be done. For now, we will return our total focus to an important semi-final.
“In the meantime, we know the FA are working with UK police and the appropriate bodies.
“Those behind this online poison must be held accountable”.
This is not an isolated incident of racial abuse towards an England player or a player in English football. In 2021, Lauren James opened up how she had been subjected to racist abuse as a young player at Manchester United, and then again in 2023 after receiving a red card while playing for England at the World Cup.
Earlier this year, Jamaica and Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw decided to step away from football for a couple of weeks after suffering online racial abuse while playing in the Women’s Super League and FA Cup.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman posted on social media her support for Carter: “I stand with Jess, and all Lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism.”
England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy also called on social media platforms to do more to protect victims of racial abuse:
“Another tournament goes by where we see the same disgusting racist abuse. It is unacceptable for any person to be subject to this or any kind of abuse. The issue goes beyond sport. But what is being done about it? On the very platforms we post on? I will not continue to feed the very platform that enables abuse with no consequence,” wrote Wubben-Moy.
I simply do not understand people.
This makes me so sad, and has a major impact on my enjoyment of the tournament.
For me this growing encroachment and seam of toxicity that goes along with the rapid growth is very disheartening.