Gianni Infantino ‘deeply saddened' by racist abuse directed at Jess Carter
Defender Carter said she will be 'taking a step back from social media and leaving it to a team to deal with' after revealing she has been the target of 'a lot of racial abuse' during the tournament in Switzerland.
FIFA president Infantino wrote on Instagram: 'I am deeply saddened to see the online abuse directed at England's Jess Carter during the ongoing Women's EURO tournament. There is no place for racism in football or in society.
England defender Jess Carter says she has been the target of 'a lot of racial abuse' during Euro 2025 (Nick Potts/PA)
'We stand with Jess. We stand with every player and every individual who has suffered from racist abuse.
'No player should be discriminated against in any way, they should be free to be at their very best on the pitch.
'Through FIFA's Social Media Protection Service, we have helped tackle such abuse across multiple tournaments. We will continue to collaborate and support confederations, FIFA Member Associations and their players.
'In this instance, we will be offering our support with any further action required, as well as sharing data for appropriate action to be taken against any perpetrators.'
Football Association chief Mark Bullingham has confirmed his organisation has already referred the 'abhorrent' abuse to UK police, who are 'in touch with the relevant social media platform'.
Bullingham said the FA 'will continue to discuss with the relevant authorities and social media companies about what more can and should be done.'
Lucy Bronze said she was 'sad' for her England team-mate Carter ahead of the Lionesses semi-final against Italy in Geneva on Tuesday, and warned social media companies that football players can 'thrive' without their services.
'I think no player needs social media,' said Bronze. 'I think that's one thing that we can always remember, is that we play football because we love the sport.
'Someone like Jess, she's had an amazing tournament. I think she was one of our best players in the Netherlands game, for example, and she should be able to see messages and the fans and the support and live in that moment, because it's something you should be able to celebrate.'
Lucy Bronze issued a warning to social media companies after the online racist abuse suffered by her England team-mate Jess Carter at Euro 2025 (Nick Potts/PA)
The Lionesses have collectively agreed they will not be 'taking the knee' ahead of kick-off in Geneva, a symbolic anti-racism gesture that since 2016, when NFL player Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the Star Spangled Banner in protest, has become widespread practice across sport.
'Until now, we have chosen to take the knee before matches,' read a team statement.
'It's 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.'
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The Irish Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Irish Sun
History-making Lioness Ella Toone star for biggest stage now she's ready to deliver for England again in Euro 2025 final
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The Irish Sun
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Inside Viktor Gyokeres' rollercoaster career as former team-mates and bosses tell Arsenal fans what to expect
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Why Mikel Arteta must deliver best team in London a trophy | Arsenal Exposed "In the past, we have used the money to invest in more equipment and send the players to more camps. It is quite incredible. "Viktor has not visited us since he left but when some of our players go to the national team at youth level, and he sees which club they are from, he goes up to them and says hello. "We are all proud of him." IF BROMMAPOJKARNA: 2014-2017 Peter Kisfaludy was one of his youth coaches before he broke into the first team... "The first time I met Viktor was when he was 11 and we took him to a tournament in Finland on loan from his youth club Aspudden-Tellus. Then, he joined the club at 16. "At 13, he started at a school where I coach in the mornings before the first lessons. I have also coached Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall there. "Viktor was a late bloomer but he has the same goalscoring style he has now and was always like a tank running with a ball. You could also say he is like the Swedish Orient Express. "He has always been a winner. For a long time, his girlfriend was the footballer Amanda Nilden who plays for Spurs. "They went on holiday to Spain and she is really good at table tennis. They also had a game of tennis and she won so they did not speak for two days. "They are both really bad losers. 11 Gyokeres used to date now-Tottenham star Amanda Nilde Credit: @bpfotboll 11 Viktor Gyokeres started his senior career at IF Brommapojkarna Credit: Instagram @viktorgyokeres "It has been so nice to see him progress and he has not changed. This year, I was in Portugal scouting players when there was a massive power outage - along with Spain - and there was no electricity in either country. "The restaurant would not make us food and I could not buy a bottle of water as I also had no cash and the card machines were not working. "I called Vik and he said 'come to me'. I drove 30 minutes and he gave me lunch and gave me 100 Euros to spend in case the card machines were still not working. "I have no doubt he will score many goals for Arsenal. If he scores twice, he will not be happy until he gets a third." 11 Gyokeres' old Brighton boss Chris Hughton didn't believe him to be a natural finisher Credit: Getty BRIGHTON: 2018-2021 Former manager Chris Hughton... "When he was at "You knew he would because he always put himself in a position to get them. "If you asked me then, would I see him as a player that would play at one of the top clubs in the Premier League, then I would have to say probably no, more than yes. "When he went to "I watched him quite a few times when he was at Coventry. I was surprised that nobody took him, I must admit. "We all know the bigger Premier League clubs want ready-made players. 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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
How England's cute cubs who dreamed of greatness grew up to be proud Lionesses on brink of place in footie immortality
THEY'RE the cute cubs who grew up to be the Lioness pride of England. Advertisement 17 Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman and her team face Spain in tomorrow's Euros final Credit: Getty With all of England backing them, coach The team's never-say-die attitude in Switzerland means it is three finals in a row after their This year they have flirted with disaster several times, going two down to Sweden in the quarter-finals before pulling it back, then winning a And against Advertisement read more on lionesses Her 96th-minute equaliser took it to extra time before Euros 2022 hero Here, as the big match looms, we present our heroines when they were youngsters. Midfielder 17 Georgia was playing alongside her three older brothers for Furness Rovers FC from the age of three Credit: NNP Advertisement Lionesses celebrate after bonkers Euro 2025 penalty shootout win over Sweden DYNAMO Georgia was on the pitch when she was barely out of nappies. Most read in Football Born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, she was playing alongside her three older brothers for Furness Rovers FC from the age of three. 'When I'd turn up at games, the opposition would be like, 'Ooh, there's a girl playing', but I thrived on it.' Advertisement 17 Georgia was a key figure in the Lionesses' historic Euro 2022 triumph, scoring the winner against Spain in the quarter-final Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Georgia sharpened her skills in Blackburn Rovers' youth system, scoring 31 goals in just 14 games for their Under-17s side. She broke into the senior team in 2015, before making the move to Manchester City at 16. The tattoo fan joined German giants Bayern Munich in July 2022, helping them win three Frauen-Bundesliga titles and a German Cup by the end of the 2024-25 season. Advertisement Georgia was a key figure in the Lionesses' historic Euro 2022 triumph, scoring the winner against Spain in the quarter-final. Goalkeeper 17 Hannah was told by doctors she'd never play football due to a serious eye condition Credit: _hannahhampton / Instagram BRUMMIE Hannah, 24, is a Euros penalty shootout hero – but doctors once said she'd never play football due to a serious eye condition. Advertisement Despite surgeries and ongoing depth perception issues, she is at the top of her game. 17 Hannah won back-to-back WSL titles with Chelsea in 2024 and 2025 Credit: PA She wowed at Birmingham City and Aston Villa, then moved to Chelsea in 2023, winning back-to-back WSL titles in 2024 and 2025. Defender, Captain Advertisement 17 Leah joined Arsenal's Centre of Excellence at just nine years old Credit: leahwilliamsonn / Instagram ENGLAND captain Leah was a born Gunner and joined Arsenal's Centre of Excellence at just nine years old. Now 28, she joined the club's senior team in 2014 and made her senior England debut in 2018. But after the 2012 London Olympics she almost quit to pursue a career in athletics, inspired by Olympic gold long jumper Greg Rutherford – who, like her, is from Milton Keynes, Bucks. Advertisement 17 Leah almost quit football to pursue a career in athletics Credit: Getty Winger 17 Lauren joined Norwich City's Centre of Excellence aged eight Credit: lauren_hemp / Instagram WINGER Lauren joined Norwich City's Centre of Excellence aged eight, but the girls' programme closed down. Advertisement Undeterred, she went back to the boys' team at North Walsham Youth FC, and says it 'shaped me as the player I am'. Lauren, 24, was snapped up by Manchester City in 2018 and is one of the most feared attackers in the Women's Super League. 17 Lauren is one of the most feared attackers in the Women's Super League Credit: Getty Defender Advertisement 17 As a kid Lucy was often the only girl on boys' teams such as Alnwick Town Credit: lucybronze / Instagram FORMIDABLE defender Lucy Bronze, 33, began her football journey in Northumberland, enjoying kickabouts with her older brother. She was often the only girl on boys' teams such as Alnwick Town, but was banned from competing alongside the lads aged 12 under FA rules. She has played for Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon, Barcelona and Chelsea. Advertisement 17 Lucy has played for Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon, Barcelona and Chelsea Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Striker 17 Alessia's dad Mario was a record goalscorer for Metropolitan Police FC ALESSIA, 26, takes after dad Mario – a record goalscorer for Metropolitan Police FC. Advertisement From Charlton Athletic to Chelsea's development squad and a brief spell at Brighton, she went on to play college soccer in the US before signing for Manchester United in 2020. Joining Arsenal three years later, Alessia helped them win the Women's Super League. 17 Alessia helped Arsenal win the Women's Super League Credit: Getty Striker Advertisement 17 Beth was kicking a ball with the boys from the age of six Credit: Facebook GROWING up in Hinderwell, a tiny village near Whitby, Beth was kicking a ball with the boys from the age of six. Later her mum took a second job to pay for the petrol to take her on a twice-weekly, 45- minute drive to Middlesbrough's centre of excellence. At just 16, Beth – now 30 – made her senior debut for Sunderland, where she bagged 77 goals in 78 games. Advertisement In 2017 she joined Arsenal, and despite an injury-hit start, she blossomed after taking a wide position. 17 Beth bagged 77 goals in 78 games for Sunderland Credit: Getty MICHELLE AGYEMANG Striker 17 Michelle was playing for Brandon Groves AFC, at just five years old Credit: Getty Advertisement TEENAGE striker Michelle has become the Lionesses' secret weapon at Euro 2025. The 19-year-old supersub – whose Ghanaian surname means 'saviour of the nation' – has made a stunning impact in the tournament, twice grabbing vital goals after coming off the bench. Born in South Ockendon, Essex, the Arsenal fan was giving the boys a run for their money at her local club, Brandon Groves AFC, at just five years old. Vice-chairman and girls' coach Roy Enright, 45, said: 'It is fantastic to see her progress. Advertisement 'It is brilliant for the club here and for girls' football generally.' Michelle joined Arsenal's academy at six and has been a Gunner ever since, making her senior debut at just 16 in 2022. She will have to juggle her status as England's latest footie hero with her uni career at King's College London, where she is studying for a business management degree. 17 Michelle has become the Lionesses' secret weapon at Euro 2025 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Advertisement Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
