Jess Carter’s Experience with Racial Abuse in Women’s Football
Jess Carter, a key defender for the England women’s national team, has recently come forward to share her experience of facing racial abuse on social media during the Women’s European Championship. This revelation has led the Football Association (FA) to take immediate action by contacting UK police authorities.
Carter was subjected to intense scrutiny and criticism following England’s opening match against France at Euro 2025. Although the team has since advanced to the semifinals, the 27-year-old player revealed that the abuse she encountered went beyond what she could tolerate. In an emotional Instagram post, she expressed her feelings about the situation, stating:
“From the beginning of the tournament, I have been receiving a significant amount of racial abuse. Though I respect fans’ right to voice their opinions about performances and results, targeting someone’s race or appearance is unacceptable.”
With 49 caps for England, Carter has played a crucial role in the team’s successes, including their Euro 2022 victory and a runner-up finish at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. She has decided to step back from social media to protect her mental health and focus on supporting her team.
“I appreciate the genuine support from fans, but I’m stepping back to focus entirely on helping my team however I can,” she wrote.
The FA responded swiftly to the incident, emphasizing their commitment to supporting Carter. FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham stated:
“Our primary concern is Jess and ensuring she receives all necessary support. We unequivocally condemn the vile racism she has endured. We immediately contacted UK police, who are working with the relevant social media platform to hold the perpetrators accountable.”
Bullingham also noted that the FA has systems in place to respond quickly to such incidents, as they are not uncommon for England players.
Carter’s teammates have shown strong solidarity with her online, and the Lionesses issued a collective statement condemning the “online poison.” They announced they would no longer take the knee before matches, explaining that it is clear football needs to find another way to tackle racism.
Defender Lucy Bronze elaborated on the decision, stating:
“We questioned whether the gesture still sends a strong message. It doesn’t feel effective anymore if racism is still targeting our players during the biggest tournaments of their careers. We need to make a bigger statement. The problem persists—not just in football, but across society. More must be done.”
Gotham FC, where Carter currently plays after transferring from Chelsea last year, also voiced their support for her. In a statement, they said:
“We are devastated and angered by the racist abuse directed at Jess. Jess is more than a top-class footballer—she’s a role model and a leader in our community. There’s absolutely no room for racism in our sport.”
England will face Italy in the semifinals in Geneva on Tuesday, following their dramatic penalty shootout win over Sweden. Spain will take on Germany in the other semifinal on Wednesday.
Carter hopes that speaking out will lead to meaningful change. She said:
“If this encourages those spreading abuse to think twice, maybe others won’t have to go through the same. I’m proud to be part of a Lionesses squad that has brought about historic change, and I hope this step adds to that legacy.”
As Euro 2025 continues to captivate fans with thrilling matches and scenic Swiss venues, the tournament has also highlighted growing concerns over online abuse in women’s football.
Hendrich, a German player, was sent off for hair-pulling during the Euro 2025 quarterfinals, further emphasizing the challenges faced by athletes in the modern era.
Bronze added:
“The more the game grows, the more we seem to face this. While men’s football sees abuse in stadiums and online, women’s football appears to be especially targeted online. There must be a way to change that—the platforms can do something. I don’t have the solution, but I know one exists.”
