Lionesses Stand United with Jess Carter After Defender Faces Racist Abuse During Euro 2025

England women's national football team defender Jess Carter has become the latest high-profile athlete to face racist abuse online, prompting a groundswell of support from her teammates and the wider sports community during the ongoing Euro 2025 tournament. Carter, who has started all four of England's games in Switzerland, revealed on Sunday that she has been subject to racist slurs and hateful messages on her social media accounts since the tournament began, leading her to step away from online platforms for her well-being .

Carter’s Lionesses teammates, including senior player Lucy Bronze, have publicly condemned the abuse and expressed both sadness and anger at the ongoing discrimination faced by players of color. “All the players, the FA and the staff are here to support her. We had meetings last night about it and we're all in full support for Jess and for any players going through racial abuse in this tournament,” Bronze told reporters, highlighting the emotional toll such incidents have on both individuals and the team as a whole .

The Football Association (FA) has confirmed that it has alerted both the UK police and the relevant social media platform, urging for robust action against the perpetrators. FA CEO Mark Bullingham stated that the association stands with Carter and is actively working with authorities to ensure accountability .

In a significant move reflecting the team's collective frustration, the Lionesses announced that they will not be taking the knee before their Euro 2025 semi-final match against Italy. In a joint statement, the players said, "It is not right that some of us are treated differently because of the color of our skin," signifying a shift in focus from symbolic gestures to direct action and dialogue surrounding the reasons for such protests . The decision has sparked widespread discussion across media platforms, with many emphasizing the need for substantive change rather than performative acts .

The response to Carter’s ordeal has extended beyond the England camp. Club teams like Gotham FC, where Carter is a valued player, issued statements of support, affirming their commitment to fostering a safe and respectful environment for all athletes. “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 said, reiterating that there is no place for racism in sport .

Anti-racism advocacy groups such as Kick It Out have also spoken out, backing Carter’s decision to protect her mental health and calling for greater responsibility from social media companies. “Players should not be exposed to this sickening behaviour, and those responsible should face the strongest possible consequences,” the organization commented .

Carter’s experience is a stark reminder of the persistent challenges faced by athletes who are marginalized on the basis of race, gender, or sexuality. The intersectional nature of discrimination in women’s sport means that queer and transgender athletes of color often face compounded hostility. The Lionesses’ stand not only addresses racism but resonates with the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing fight for inclusion and safety, both online and offline.

Football, like many sports, has made strides in promoting LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance, but incidents like this illustrate the ongoing need for systemic change. The call for accountability from social media platforms is particularly pressing, as anonymity and lack of oversight continue to enable harassment targeting players from underrepresented backgrounds.

As the Lionesses prepare for their semi-final clash, the focus remains on solidarity, resilience, and the urgent need for meaningful reform. Carter’s strength in speaking out, backed by her teammates and the broader football family, is a powerful call to action for fans, governing bodies, and tech companies alike. Only by confronting the root causes of abuse and ensuring accountability can the sport continue to move toward true equality and safety for all its participants.