England defender Jess Carter has revealed the extent of the racist abuse she suffered during the Euro 2025 tournament in Switzerland, stating that it made her not want to leave her hotel room. The abuse, which began after England's opening defeat against France, targeted Carter's race and appearance, leading her to step back from social media to protect her mental health and focus on the tournament.
Carter, a key member of the Lionesses, shared an emotional post on Instagram detailing the abuse she had been receiving. "From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse," she wrote. "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". She further added that she was taking a break from social media to concentrate on helping her team in any way she could. Her sister had encouraged her to speak out about the abuse.
The online attacks against Carter were widely condemned, with the Football Association (FA) contacting UK police to investigate the matter. The FA stated they have measures in place to respond quickly to such incidents, as this was not the first time an England player had been targeted. The police are in contact with the relevant social media platforms and are working to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
In response to the abuse, Carter's teammates rallied around her, offering support and solidarity. The Lionesses issued a joint statement denouncing the "online poison" and announced they would no longer take a knee before matches as an anti-racism gesture. The team felt that "football needs to find another way to tackle racism". Lucy Bronze explained the team's decision, questioning whether the message of taking a knee was still as impactful as it once was, given that players were still experiencing abuse during major tournaments. The team felt it was time to make another statement to highlight that racism remains a problem in football and society, and more needs to be done.
Numerous figures within the football community have voiced their support for Carter and condemned the abuse. Ian Wright and Karen Carney discussed the abhorrent online abuse targeted at Jess Carter.
Carter currently plays her club soccer for Gotham FC in the United States, having joined from Chelsea a year ago. Her club also released a statement expressing their outrage and support. "We are heartbroken and outraged by the racist abuse directed at Jess Carter," Gotham FC stated. "Jess is not only a world-class football player – she is a role model, a leader and a valued part of our Gotham FC family". The club emphasized their commitment to a culture of mutual respect, where everyone feels safe and celebrated, and that there is no place for racism in the sport.
Despite the abuse, Carter has continued to play an integral role for England throughout the Euro 2025 tournament. She has made 49 appearances for England and was part of the Euro 2022 winning squad, as well as the team that finished as runner-up at the World Cup the following year. After a difficult Euro's, Carter has returned to Gotham FC in New Jersey, a place "where she says she feels safe".
