England defender Jess Carter has revealed she has been subjected to significant racial abuse online during the Women’s European Championship (Euro 2025), prompting the Football Association (FA) to contact UK police to ensure those responsible face justice. The 27-year-old, who has started all four of England’s matches in the tournament, announced her decision to step back from social media to focus on her role with the Lionesses, who are set to face Italy in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Geneva. The news has sparked widespread condemnation, with teammates, the FA, UEFA, and even UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer rallying in support of Carter.
In an emotional statement posted on Instagram on Sunday, Carter detailed the abuse she has endured since the tournament began. “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. 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.” Carter expressed hope that speaking out would deter future abuse, adding, “Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that others won’t have to deal with it.”
The FA responded swiftly, with CEO Mark Bullingham condemning the abuse as “disgusting racism” and confirming that the organization had immediately contacted UK police. “Our priority is Jess and giving her all the support she needs,” Bullingham said. “As soon as we were made aware of the racist abuse Jess received, we immediately contacted UK police. They are in touch with the relevant social media platform, and we are working with police to ensure those responsible for this hate crime are brought to justice. Regrettably, this is not the first time this has happened to an England player, so we had measures in place to allow us to respond quickly.” The FA’s proactive stance reflects its ongoing efforts to combat online hate, though Bullingham noted the need for further action from social media companies to prevent such incidents.
Carter’s teammates have also shown solidarity, issuing a joint statement through the Lionesses’ official X account. “We stand with Jess and all Lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism,” the statement read. “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.” The team announced a significant decision to cease taking the knee before matches, a gesture they have performed to protest racism. “It is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism,” they stated, confirming they will remain standing before their semi-final against Italy.
England defender Lucy Bronze elaborated on the squad’s decision, emphasizing the need for accountability. “The social media platforms need to be held accountable,” Bronze said. “People need to be held accountable for their actions, whether it’s in person or online. The abuse is not okay, racism is not okay. I think more can be done and more should be done.” Carter’s club, Gotham FC, where she plays in the United States after leaving Chelsea, also issued a strong statement. “We are heartbroken and outraged by the racist abuse directed at Jess Carter,” the club said. “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. There is no place for racism in our sport.”
UEFA condemned the abuse, stating, “Abuse and discrimination should never be tolerated, whether in football or society, in person or online.” Prime Minister Starmer echoed this sentiment, saying, “There is no place for racism in football or anywhere in society. I stand with Jess, the Lionesses, and any players who have suffered racism, on and off the pitch.” Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out also supported Carter’s decision to prioritize her well-being, calling for “the strongest possible consequences” for those responsible and urging social media companies to act more urgently.
Carter’s performances at Euro 2025 have been under scrutiny, particularly after England’s opening loss to France, where she faced criticism for her play at left-back before shifting to centre-back. Despite challenges, she was instrumental in England’s 4-0 group stage win over the Netherlands and their dramatic penalty shootout victory against Sweden in the quarter-finals. As the Lionesses prepare for their semi-final clash, Carter remains focused on contributing to the team’s success. “I’m now looking forward and focusing on putting all of my energy into helping my team,” she said.