Latest news with #racial abuse
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Racist abuse of Jess Carter ‘ridiculous' and ‘disgusting', says England coach Wiegman
Sarina Wiegman has described the racial abuse suffered by Jess Carter as 'ridiculous' and 'disgusting' ahead of England's European Championship semi-final against Italy on Tuesday. Carter revealed on social media on Sunday that from the start of the tournament, she has 'experienced a lot of racial abuse' and hopes raising the issue 'will make the people writing this abuse think twice so others don't have to deal with it'. Advertisement England will not take the knee before kick-off of their last-four clash in Geneva, Switzerland as a mark of solidarity with their team-mate and instead will stay standing. 'It's really sad that we have to be occupied by this,' said Wiegman in England's pre-match press conference on Monday. 'It is ridiculous and disgusting what is happening and that goes beyond football. We had to pay attention to that and support Jess. Of course, she's not the only one who gets this abuse or racism. That's why she wanted to address it and she's fully supported by the team.' When asked how she balances not giving in to the trolls and potentially protecting Carter by not playing her, Wiegman said: 'We had conversations, and although it's a hard situation, Jess is a very strong person. She wants to move on too, but she also felt, and so did we, that we have to address this, we can't just let it go. 'We're ready to perform, she's ready to perform and compete. That also says a lot about her and the team.' Midfielder Georgia Stanway said the squad have been brought closer together and explained they have decided not to take a knee before kick-off because 'we want more action' on racism. 'We want to create more of a talking point and a point to make more change,' she said. 'We felt like the knee was just a little bit repetitive, it's come to a point where the knee isn't doing what we wanted it to do.' Stanway also said it has not changed how she feels about putting on the England shirt because the abusers are not 'fans'. 'We know that we're wearing it for the people we stand next to, our families, the actual fans that are here to watch the game,' she said. 'I say it with power because I really believe it. I believe that people like that don't deserve to be called fans.' Meanwhile Italy manager Andrea Sonicin and defender Cecilia Salvai said they have the 'greatest solidarity' with Carter. Advertisement 'I hope she can play the game and can detach a bit from that episode tomorrow,' said Salvai. 'Of course she is not the first one and we have the greatest solidarity with her.' Soncin added: 'It should not be tolerated. We have a responsibility with the position we are in to send the right messages, we need to give educational messages, including to children. It is a cultural campaign and battle. I don't know if taking the knee is enough but we are ready to take part in any campaign to help this.' There will be a meeting tonight to discuss any alternative pre-game gesture to the knee. Salvai said the players are 'open' and 'willing' to do whatever is needed to 'give a strong message'.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
England's Jess Carter targeted by racist abuse during Euro 2025
England defender Jess Carter has revealed she has been the target of 'a lot of racial abuse' during Euro 2025. The 27-year-old has started all of the defending champions' matches so far in Switzerland and says she will now take a step back from social media to focus on the remainder of the campaign. England next travel to Geneva where they will face Italy in the semi-finals on Tuesday night. Writing on her Instagram account, Carter said in a statement: 'A message to the fans… 'From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse. 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 any way I can. 'Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that others won't have to deal with it. 'We have made some historic changes with this Lionesses squad that I am so proud to be a part of and my hope is that by speaking out about this it will make another positive change for all. 'I'm now looking forward and focusing on putting all of my energy into helping my team.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
England's Jess Carter targeted by racist abuse during Euro 2025
England defender Jess Carter has revealed she has been the target of 'a lot of racial abuse' during Euro 2025. The 27-year-old has started all of the defending champions' matches so far in Switzerland and says she will now take a step back from social media to focus on the remainder of the campaign. England next travel to Geneva where they will face Italy in the semi-finals on Tuesday night. Writing on her Instagram account, Carter said in a statement: 'A message to the fans… 'From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse. 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 any way I can. 'Hopefully speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that others won't have to deal with it. 'We have made some historic changes with this Lionesses squad that I am so proud to be a part of and my hope is that by speaking out about this it will make another positive change for all. 'I'm now looking forward and focusing on putting all of my energy into helping my team.'
